India's Proximity Archives
South Asia
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President of Sri Lanka, visited Japan from September 27 – 30 and met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. A press release quoted Prime Minister Ishiba expressing his desire to strengthen cooperation in the realisation of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and further develop the “Comprehensive Partnership” with Sri Lanka. Under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) agreement, Japan has committed to providing ten surveillance drones, valued at around 500 million yen, to the Sri Lankan navy. President Dissanayake also held meetings with Defense Minister Nakatani and JICA President Tanaka Akihiko.
Southeast Asia
On September 30, Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirmed that the Thai government is not closing the door to negotiations with Cambodia aimed at resolving the long-standing border dispute. Addressing Parliament during a policy briefing, Sihasak acknowledged that resolving the dispute between the two nations would be a formidable task, stating that the strategy must involve transcending the existing conflict. The Foreign Minister outlined the three key areas Thailand would be seeking to negotiate once talks begin: establishing a permanent ceasefire, demining and removing heavy weapons from the disputed areas, and cracking down on transnational crime to bring calm and stability to the border region.
East Asia
On September 29, Li Qiang, the Premier of the State Council of China and Choe Son Hui, the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met in Beijing. The agenda of the meeting was to expand discussions on various areas for deepening and developing China–DPRK relations on common grounds as agreed upon by President Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early September. Mr Li Qiang reiterated China’s commitment to maintaining close exchanges and interactions at all levels and pursuing cooperation across various fields with the DPRK to achieve shared interests and developmental goals. He even expressed gratitude for North Korea’s consistent support on matters concerning China’s core interests and major concerns. Choe Son Hui reciprocated similar sentiments for cooperation between the two countries for mutual development and shared interests, noting that North Korea fully supports China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the four global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi, along with China’s stance on core issues, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, and Hong Kong.
West Asia
US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on September 30. President Trump announced a 20-point peace plan for Gaza that called for its redevelopment and turning it into a deradicalised terror-free zone that would pose no threat to its neighbours. The plan stipulates that Gaza will be governed by a temporary transitional government led by a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, supervised by an international transitional body. This body, known as the “Board of Peace”, will be chaired by President Trump, with other members including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and others. The Palestinian Authority and the Arab-Islamic world welcomed the Gaza peace plan and affirmed their confidence in President Trump’s ability to find a path to peace.
Central Asia
Deputies in Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted on September 25, 2025, to dissolve parliament, paving the way for early parliamentary elections. The vote passed overwhelmingly with 84 votes in favour, 5 abstentions, and 1 absence. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has five days to set the date for snap parliamentary elections, which are expected to be held on November 30, 2025. The decision to dissolve parliament was motivated by concerns about the logistical and administrative challenges posed by holding parliamentary elections in November 2026, which would be very close to the presidential elections scheduled for January 2027. Additionally, the electoral system has changed from a mixed system (both party lists and single-mandate districts) used in 2021 to a fully single-mandate district system, with all 90 MPs to be elected from single-member districts in the upcoming elections. Until the new parliament is elected, the current parliament will continue its functions.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy’s stealth guided missile destroyer INS Imphal, currently mission-deployed in the Arabian Sea, conducted a PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with the United States Navy’s USS Gridley. The exercise was part of the ongoing endeavours by both maritime powers to bolster their cooperative capabilities. It featured tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck flying operations, anti-piracy VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) training, and an exchange of best practices, all aimed at improving naval interoperability and maritime security cooperation. Upon completion, both warships continued with their respective scheduled deployments.
