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India’s Proximity Archives
South Asia
On February 12th, Bangladesh conducted its national election. The alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 212 seats in the 300-member Parliament. A coalition comprising eleven parties, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, secured seventy-seven seats. The voters also approved the July National Charter through a referendum intended to amend the Constitution. A turnout of 60 per cent was recorded. On February 17, Tarique Rahman, the chairman of the BNP, assumed the office of Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Twenty-five cabinet ministers and twenty-four ministers of state, were also sworn in by the President of Bangladesh. Dr. Khalilur Rahman, who currently serves as National Security Adviser, has been designated as the Foreign Minister within the cabinet. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the Interim Government, resigned on February 16. Meanwhile, BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that Bangladesh-India relations won’t be defined by a single issue, and Hasina’s presence in India won’t prevent Bangladesh from maintaining broader ties.
Southeast Asia
On February 13, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India reaffirmed their shared commitment to further advancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) at the 26th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Joint Cooperation Committee (AIJCC), in Jakarta, Indonesia. They reviewed progress across all three ASEAN Community pillars and noted the successful completion of the 2021 2025 Plan of Action. The meeting highlighted the adoption of the 2026 2030 Plan of Action and emphasized sustained, forward looking cooperation. Both sides pledged to build on existing initiatives while exploring new areas to keep the CSP dynamic and responsive to regional and global developments. As ASEAN chair, the Philippines co-led the meeting wherein the two sides highlighted maritime cooperation as a priority issue, citing the imperatives of sea safety, environmental protection, connectivity, and adherence to international law across the Indo-Pacific.
East Asia
On February 14, Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Wang Yi attended the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Addressing the session "Conversation with China”, Wang Yi noted that Asia has shown relative resilience in maintaining peace amid current global uncertainties, except for the Cambodia-Thailand skirmish. Japan, however, he asserts, is witnessing dangerous trends. Calling the current Japanese Prime Minister’s remark on Taiwan contingency invoking a "situation of existential crisis" reckless and erroneous, Wang Yi contends that this reflects Japan's ambition to invade and colonise Taiwan and revive militarism. He even recalled the Pearl Harbour attack during World War 2, which too was conducted on the pretext of "situation of existential crisis”.
West Asia
The U.S. and Iran held the second round of their indirect nuclear dialogue mediated by Oman in Geneva on February 17. Iran’s Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi informed that the two sides had agreed on the “guiding principles” for a potential nuclear deal. J.D. Vance, Vice President of the U.S., stated that the Geneva talks went well. However, it was apparent that Iran would not accept and work through President Trump's red lines regarding dismantling its nuclear program. Meanwhile, President Trump spoke about a potential “regime change” in Iran as the U.S. deployed its second aircraft carrier in the region.
Central Asia
On February 11, Germany hosted the Z5+1 meeting in Berlin, bringing together the Foreign Ministers of the five Central Asian states and Germany as part of its ongoing “Strategic Regional Partnership” initiative launched in 2023. Building on earlier summits in Berlin and Astana, the meeting emphasized regional cooperation as a complement to bilateral ties, establishing a stable ministerial format to advance project lists, regulatory frameworks, and financial conditions. Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev highlighted Central Asia as a “new point of growth for the global economy” and described the “Central Asia–Germany” format as a strategic platform for addressing common challenges and implementing projects that benefit the entire region. Germany committed €2.7 million to support coordination for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, focusing on data-sharing, planning discipline, and cross-border management standards where such initiatives often face obstacles.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy is hosting three major international engagements in quick succession: Exercise MILAN 2026, the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, and the Ninth IONS Conclave of Navy Chiefs. The 2026 edition of the MILAN naval exercises is projected to be the largest in its history. Invitations have been extended to over 135 countries, with 72 having already confirmed their attendance. China, Pakistan and Turkey were not invited. At least 23 foreign warships are slated to participate, including significant contributions from major navies such as those of the United States, Russia and Japan. The 2026 edition marks the most sophisticated iteration of MILAN to date. The Harbour Phase, commencing on February 19, will showcase camaraderie, cooperation & collaboration at the opening ceremony and International City Parade, followed by intellectual exchanges through the International Maritime Seminar and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), laying the groundwork for the operational phase. The exercise culminates in a rigorous Sea Phase (February 21–25) in the Bay of Bengal.
