India's Proximity Archives
South Asia
Severe unrest has erupted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after local authorities in Rawalakot fired upon protesters attending the funeral of a rights activist. Eleven people, including four police officers, died during the clashes. The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has started protests against inflation and the increased prices of flour and electricity, along with a demand for the re-establishment of political, economic, and human rights. The demonstrators called on the government to eliminate the allocation of 12 seats reserved for refugees in the upcoming July 27 elections. On June 5th, the PoK government declared the JAAC a banned organisation. After the June 9th protest violence, the government registered sedition charges against JAAC leaders.
Southeast Asia
The governments of Indonesia and Japan have agreed to start working-level talks on the possible transfer of Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force — Asagiri-class destroyers to Indonesia. The announcement came after Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, met in Tokyo on June 5 for the Japan-Indonesia Defence Ministerial Meeting. The Japanese Defence Ministry said that Sjafrie had stated a desire to “cement defence equipment and technology cooperation, including via the transfer of Asagiri-class destroyers,” with both ministers agreeing to begin discussions within the working group on after-export “training, maintenance and operational aspects.” In a post on X following the talks, Koizumi said the discussions would further solidify defence cooperation between the two sides. While the total number of destroyers Indonesia will acquire remains undecided, Jakarta has also expressed interest in purchasing Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigates. However, a decision on those vessels is expected only after the destroyer deal is finalised.
West Asia
On June 9, the U.S. Central Command targeted Iran's air defence system, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran downed an Apache helicopter belonging to the U.S. military. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched military strikes on U.S. bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Israel and Iran also exchanged missile fire, accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. Iran’s attack on northern Israel came as a reaction to the IDF’s airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, targeting Hezbollah.
Central Asia
On June 9, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with the U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs and Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the enhanced strategic partnership. During the meeting, the officials discussed a wide range of topics on the bilateral agenda, with particular attention to the development of economic and investment cooperation, as well as collaboration in innovation and artificial intelligence, education, and science. Prospects for cooperation in transport, logistics, and critical minerals were also discussed. Kosherbayev noted that Astana views Washington as one of its key partners in attracting investment, technological modernisation, and deepening trade and economic cooperation. In this context, the officials discussed the implementation of agreements reached between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House in November 2025.
Indian Ocean Region
On June 8, the Palau flagged tanker MT Marivex was disabled south of the Strait of Hormuz, off Masirah, Oman, after US forces reported that the vessel failed to comply with directions and attempted to proceed to an Iranian port during an ongoing blockade. CENTCOM stated that an F/A 18 from USS Abraham Lincoln struck the ship’s engineering and steering compartments, rendering it inoperative; the vessel was described as unladen and in ballast. Media and open-source reports indicate the ship had been under sanctions-related scrutiny and was not Indian owned, with sources alleging repeated recent attempts to reach Iranian ports despite warnings from US naval units. The episode was initially reported as a fire aboard the tanker and involved 24 Indian seafarers, who were subsequently evacuated and rescued by the Royal Oman Navy. CENTCOM identified MT Marivex as the seventh non compliant vessel disabled since blockade enforcement began on April 13, 2026.
