India's Proximity Archives
South Asia
From August 18 to 19, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India and co-chaired the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ dialogue on the Boundary Question with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He also held bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the Indian press release, both parties agreed on the importance of approaching the overall bilateral relationship from a political stand point, while seeking a just, reasonable, and mutually acceptable framework for resolving the boundary issue. In addition, they reached an agreement on forming multiple Working Groups and mechanisms to facilitate advancement on matters pertaining to border management. At the meeting of foreign ministers, both parties committed to upholding multilateralism, improving communication regarding key international and regional matters, sustaining a rules-based multilateral trading system centered on the WTO, and promoting a multipolar world that protects the interests of developing nations.
Southeast Asia
India hosted the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee in New Delhi, from August 10 to 14, 2025. The meetings were co-chaired by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Nitin Kumar Yadav, and Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, Malaysia, Mastura Ahmad Mustafa. Delegates from all ten ASEAN Member States participated. The Joint Committee focused on advancing the ongoing review of AITIGA to enhance its effectiveness, accessibility, and trade facilitation capabilities. Alongside the meeting, seven sub-committee sessions were held aimed at updating the 15-year-old trade agreement.
East Asia
On August 15, in Anning, Yunnan province of China, the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa met the press and outlined the vision for an “LMC 2.0”. China’s Foreign Minister asserted that the next decade of LMC holds promising prospects, characterised by unity and cooperation, openness, green innovation, peace and tranquillity, in turn achieving win-win outcomes. Mr Yi articulated the new golden decade of LMC, where concerned countries will work together to strengthen the LMC mechanism, advance economic integration, enhance coordinated governance in areas such as agriculture, water, environment, and cross-border crimes, and foster a Lancang-Mekong community through cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges.
West Asia
According to reports on August 18, Hamas has accepted a proposal from Egyptian and Qatari officials for a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza. The proposed ceasefire would result in a 60-day halt to violence and an exchange of some of the remaining Israeli hostages. This response by Hamas came as the Israeli military plans to launch a new offensive in densely populated Gaza City. The US and Israel are currently discussing the ceasefire and hostage exchange proposal, with Israel demanding the release of all 50 hostages held in Gaza.
Central Asia
On August 14-15, 2025, officials from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia gathered in the resort town of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, for a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. This meeting coincided with ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Key topics discussed included measures to promote economic integration, boost trade, and develop common markets within the union, specifically for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The meeting also emphasised strengthening cooperation mechanisms within the EAEU, with notable participation from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The council highlighted the EAEU’s significant economic growth over the past decade, with trade and industrial output rising substantially, reflecting the union’s role as a major economic bloc in the region. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Minsk in late September 2025.
Indian Ocean Region
The 12th edition of the Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25) successfully concluded on August 18, 2025, in the western seas off Colombo. The exercise featured Indian Naval Ships INS Rana (a Guided Missile Destroyer) and INS Jyoti (a Fleet Tanker), along with Sri Lankan Navy ships SLNS Gajabahu and Vijayabahu, both Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels. SLINEX-25 was conducted in two phases: the Harbour phase held in Colombo from August 14 to 16, followed by the Sea phase from August 17 to 18. The key objective of SLINEX is to enhance interoperability, promote maritime cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of best practices through joint multi-dimensional maritime operations. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted from December 17 to 20, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, India.
