India's Proximity Archives
Date: December 13, 2023
South Asia
On December 12, twenty-three Pakistan Army soldiers were killed and over 30 wounded in a terrorist attack carried out in Dera Ismail Khan by the Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP). Six terrorists who stormed a military compound were also killed. 21 militants were killed and two soldiers were martyred in two more military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Following these major attacks, Pakistan issued a demarche to the Taliban Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad Sardar Ahmad Shakib demanding immediate and verifiable actions from the Afghan Taliban against militant outfits operating in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, is on an official visit to the US from December 10, where he is expected to hold meetings with key defence, foreign policy, and national security officials.
On December 12, twenty-three Pakistan Army soldiers were killed and over 30 wounded in a terrorist attack carried out in Dera Ismail Khan by the Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP). Six terrorists who stormed a military compound were also killed. 21 militants were killed and two soldiers were martyred in two more military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Following these major attacks, Pakistan issued a demarche to the Taliban Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad Sardar Ahmad Shakib demanding immediate and verifiable actions from the Afghan Taliban against militant outfits operating in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, is on an official visit to the US from December 10, where he is expected to hold meetings with key defence, foreign policy, and national security officials.
Southeast Asia
Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced his first two-day visit to Vietnam on December 12. In President Xi’s first trip in six years, the two countries announced 37 cooperation deals, including on diplomatic ties, railways, and telecommunications. Vietnam has agreed to “support the initiative of building a community of shared future for humankind”. During Xi’s visit, he is scheduled to meet President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Chinh, and other Vietnamese officials.
Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced his first two-day visit to Vietnam on December 12. In President Xi’s first trip in six years, the two countries announced 37 cooperation deals, including on diplomatic ties, railways, and telecommunications. Vietnam has agreed to “support the initiative of building a community of shared future for humankind”. During Xi’s visit, he is scheduled to meet President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Chinh, and other Vietnamese officials.
East Asia
US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with South Korea’s National Security Advisor Cho Tae-Yong, and Japanese National Security Advisor, Takeo Akiba, for the fourth trilateral National Security Advisors meeting in Seoul on December 9. The three sides agreed on new initiatives to deal with North Korea’s threats in cyberspace, including cryptocurrency abuses and space launches. This comes after North Korea warned that it would deploy more spy satellites. Japan’s security adviser, Takeo Akiba, characterised North Korea’s “illicit cyber activities a source of funds for the isolated state’s nuclear missile development”.
US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with South Korea’s National Security Advisor Cho Tae-Yong, and Japanese National Security Advisor, Takeo Akiba, for the fourth trilateral National Security Advisors meeting in Seoul on December 9. The three sides agreed on new initiatives to deal with North Korea’s threats in cyberspace, including cryptocurrency abuses and space launches. This comes after North Korea warned that it would deploy more spy satellites. Japan’s security adviser, Takeo Akiba, characterised North Korea’s “illicit cyber activities a source of funds for the isolated state’s nuclear missile development”.
West Asia
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia on December 6. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Putin discussed cooperation in OPEC with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. He welcomed the resumption of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, expressed support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive political solution to the Yemen crisis, and expressed eagerness to increase joint investments. As part of his visit to the UAE, President Putin discussed issues of mutual interest with a focus on Gaza, and explored prospects to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia on December 6. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Putin discussed cooperation in OPEC with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. He welcomed the resumption of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, expressed support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive political solution to the Yemen crisis, and expressed eagerness to increase joint investments. As part of his visit to the UAE, President Putin discussed issues of mutual interest with a focus on Gaza, and explored prospects to further strengthen bilateral relations.
China
Amidst reports of China's economic downturn, President Xi Jinping warned that China’s economic recovery is “still at a critical stage”. Communist party leaders have pledged to support growth with further “proactive” fiscal and “effective” monetary policy in the new year. In a speech to a political gathering in Beijing, President Xi Jinping said that, although the economic recovery from the pandemic was improving, it faced an adverse international political and economic environment and overlapping domestic cyclical and structural challenges.
Amidst reports of China's economic downturn, President Xi Jinping warned that China’s economic recovery is “still at a critical stage”. Communist party leaders have pledged to support growth with further “proactive” fiscal and “effective” monetary policy in the new year. In a speech to a political gathering in Beijing, President Xi Jinping said that, although the economic recovery from the pandemic was improving, it faced an adverse international political and economic environment and overlapping domestic cyclical and structural challenges.
Central Asia
Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev warned France and India against providing weapons to Armenia, saying such supplies could trigger a new war in the region. At the forum entitled “Karabakh: Back Home After 30 Years: Accomplishments and Challenges”, which was organised to celebrate Azerbaijan’s victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, President Aliyev said, “As the countries, who supply Armenia with weapons like France and India, now pour the oil on fire and create unrealistic illusions in Armenia that using these weapons they can take back Karabakh.”
Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev warned France and India against providing weapons to Armenia, saying such supplies could trigger a new war in the region. At the forum entitled “Karabakh: Back Home After 30 Years: Accomplishments and Challenges”, which was organised to celebrate Azerbaijan’s victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, President Aliyev said, “As the countries, who supply Armenia with weapons like France and India, now pour the oil on fire and create unrealistic illusions in Armenia that using these weapons they can take back Karabakh.”
