India's Proximity Archives
Date: December 27, 2023
South Asia
On December 20, Islamabad police detained hundreds of protesters including women and children who participated in a long march led by Baloch women against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. Later, government claimed that more than 90 per cent of the demonstrators including all women and children had been released by the police. Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq advis¬ed the capital police chief to concentrate on controlling street crimes rather than flexing their muscles against protesters. Following the incident Balochistan remained cut off for days with Sindh and Punjab due to shuttered businesses, protest rallies, and sit-ins across the province.
On December 20, Islamabad police detained hundreds of protesters including women and children who participated in a long march led by Baloch women against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. Later, government claimed that more than 90 per cent of the demonstrators including all women and children had been released by the police. Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq advis¬ed the capital police chief to concentrate on controlling street crimes rather than flexing their muscles against protesters. Following the incident Balochistan remained cut off for days with Sindh and Punjab due to shuttered businesses, protest rallies, and sit-ins across the province.
Southeast Asia
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, on December 20. Wang Yi advised the Philippines to “act with caution” and “return to the right path” to manage the two countries’ maritime disputes. Amidst rising tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea, the call was made on the invitation by the Philippines. On December 21, Philippines President Marcos stated that Manila “remains a force and voice of reason” despite “many attempts at provocation”.
East Asia
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government has agreed to allow completed defense equipment manufactured under license in Japan to be exported back to the country of origin. It has approved a plan to export Patriot missiles, PAC-2 and some more advanced PAC-3 interceptors, made in Japan to the US. This is the first time Japan will export lethal weapons. Japan’s Defense Minister, Itsunori Onodera, stated that “For Japan to be able to cooperate in the form of equipment is an important step for the alliance with US.”
West Asia
On December 23, the Indian Navy responded to a maritime incident in the Arabian Sea involving a drone attack on the oil/chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto. The US accused Iran of targeting MV Chem Pluto, while Tehran rejected US allegations as worthless. Meanwhile, on December 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders reviewed the progress made in the bilateral strategic partnership and expressed concern about the ongoing situation in West Asia, including terrorism, violence, and the loss of civilian lives.
China
Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent statement has asserted that mainland China will “surely” be unified with Taiwan in the future.“The complete reunification of our motherland is an overall trend, a righteous cause, and the common aspiration of the people. Our motherland must be reunified, and it will surely be reunified… We firmly oppose anyone using any means to separate Taiwan from China.” Xi said in his speech during the 130th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birthday.
Central Asia
At the Supreme Eurasian Council meeting held on December 25, the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries adopted a declaration on further development of the Union. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, emphasised the importance of free movement of goods, and called for the elimination of existing barriers and restrictions on the common market. He also urged for the introduction of uniform technical regulations to be expadiated.
