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India’s Proximity Archives
South Asia
The first cabinet meeting held by newly elected Prime Minister and BNP leader Tariq Rehman on February 18 focused on three governmental priorities: curbing the prices of basic commodities, bolstering the law and order situation, and ensuring a regular flow of electricity and energy. Substantial reforms in civil service and military leadership were also introduced during the government’s first week. The implementation of the July National Charter, however, remains pending as BNP Members of Parliament have not been sworn in as members of the constitution reform council. The government is facing pressure from the JI-led opposition for the immediate fulfillment of the charter’s provisions. Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has extended an invitation to the new Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, to visit Delhi. The Indian High Commissioner, Pranay Verma, extended this invitation during a courtesy meeting with Khalilur Rahman on February 22. Previously, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to Tarique Rahman and his family to visit India.
Southeast Asia
On February 19, President Donald Trump’s administration and the Indonesian government announced the finalisation of a trade agreement to lower U.S. tariffs to 19% from 32%. Under the deal, Indonesia will eliminate trade barriers on more than 99% of US imports and facilitate the purchases of American products worth over US$ 30bn. At the same time, more than 1,800 Indonesian commodities, including palm oil, coffee and cocoa, will be exempt from the tariff. The agreement also lifts restrictions on industrial exports, expands cooperation with U.S. firms in mining and rare earths, and sets rules for digital trade—requiring Indonesia to avoid discriminatory taxes and consult Washington before new agreements with another country that could jeopardise U.S. interests. Additionally, Indonesia must align with U.S. trade restrictions on third countries and will adopt measures with “equivalent restrictive effect” to align with Washington’s policies whose practices harm U.S. interests, including dumping goods at below-market prices.
East Asia
On February 24, China’s Commerce Ministry announced the imposition of export restrictions on “dual-use” materials, including rare earth magnets and other critical minerals. The export measure targets as many as 20 Japanese companies, which include major names such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Subaru, and Hino Motors, among others. The Chinese authorities have also enlisted 20 more companies to a new ‘watchlist’. These latest moves are being rationalised by the Chinese side as critical to curb Japan’s ambitions of ‘remilitarisation’.
West Asia
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a State Visit to Israel from February 25-26. He will meet Israel's President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and address the Israeli Parliament (Knesset). PM Netanyahu stated that this visit will deepen the Israel-India strategic partnership and that Tel Aviv intends to create a “hexagon of alliances in the region” to counter both the radical Shiite axis and the emerging Sunni axis. India and Israel held the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement on February 24.
Central Asia
On February 18, Kazakhastan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his working visit to New Delhi, discussing the further development of trade and investment cooperation on the sidelines of the international India AI Impact Summit 2026. The talks focused on energy, agriculture, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence. During his address at the Summit, Bektenov highlighted the economic potential of advanced technologies and their impact on the structure of global growth. He stressed that intelligence must be inclusive, sovereign, and, most importantly, transformative for key sectors of the economy, noting that Kazakhstan is becoming a regional digital hub. Bektenov also said that the completion this year of the Trans-Caspian fibre-optic line, constructed jointly with Azerbaijani partners, will provide the shortest alternative route for global data traffic, enabling Kazakhstan to serve as a digital bridge between East and West.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy took over the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from the Royal Thai Navy during the 9th Conclave of Chiefs in Visakhapatnam on February 20, 2026. Having earlier held the inaugural chairmanship from 2008 to 2010, India’s return to the helm after 16 years is to take forward the forum that has evolved into a central platform for professional maritime collaboration. Key developments included the Philippines joining as an observer and Oman entering the IONS Working Group on HADR, expanding cooperative horizons. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff and new IONS Chair, outlined a proactive vision to bolster the organisation's operational relevance. India also announced priority initiatives for its tenure: the IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX); sustained IOS SAGAR deployments to member countries with IONS personnel aboard; and targeted Maritime Information Sharing Workshops and dialogues to drive operational synergy, professional exchanges, and capability building.
