India's Proximity Archives
Date: January 03, 2024
South Asia
On December 29, 2023, the UNSC adopted a resolution calling for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Afghanistan and stressed the critical importance of the continued presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The resolution was adopted after 13 members of the Security Council voted in favour, while Russia and China abstained. Meanwhile, the regional countries increased their engagement with the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from the list of prohibited organizations on December 29. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially revealed its plans to reopen its embassy in Afghanistan in 2024. The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan announced the cancellation of restrictions imposed on the country's transit vehicles in Afghanistan.
On December 29, 2023, the UNSC adopted a resolution calling for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Afghanistan and stressed the critical importance of the continued presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The resolution was adopted after 13 members of the Security Council voted in favour, while Russia and China abstained. Meanwhile, the regional countries increased their engagement with the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from the list of prohibited organizations on December 29. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially revealed its plans to reopen its embassy in Afghanistan in 2024. The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan announced the cancellation of restrictions imposed on the country's transit vehicles in Afghanistan.
Southeast Asia
Lt. Gen. Jakkapong Janpengpen, Director of Joint Operations of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, led a delegation to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on December 27, 2023. The delegation held a meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Service of Myanmar. The two sides discussed cooperation in ensuring peace and stability on the border, the rule of law, narcotic drug eradication, and eradication of online gambling and online scams. A key focus of the discussion was on the ‘promotion of cooperation in humanitarian measures and aid and exchange of information’, as reported by the Global New Light of Myanmar.
Lt. Gen. Jakkapong Janpengpen, Director of Joint Operations of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, led a delegation to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on December 27, 2023. The delegation held a meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Service of Myanmar. The two sides discussed cooperation in ensuring peace and stability on the border, the rule of law, narcotic drug eradication, and eradication of online gambling and online scams. A key focus of the discussion was on the ‘promotion of cooperation in humanitarian measures and aid and exchange of information’, as reported by the Global New Light of Myanmar.
East Asia
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, convened the ninth Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on December 27, 2023. In the meeting, the leader announced the policy directions for the coming year. He ordered the country’s military, the munitions industry, and the nuclear weapons sector to accelerate war preparations to counter “unprecedented confrontational moves by the United States”. He added that Pyongyang would expand strategic cooperation with “anti-imperialist independent” countries.
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, convened the ninth Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on December 27, 2023. In the meeting, the leader announced the policy directions for the coming year. He ordered the country’s military, the munitions industry, and the nuclear weapons sector to accelerate war preparations to counter “unprecedented confrontational moves by the United States”. He added that Pyongyang would expand strategic cooperation with “anti-imperialist independent” countries.
West Asia
Hamas' deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed in a drone strike allegedly carried out by Israel, in Lebanon’s capital Beirut on January 2. Considering this, Hamas has reportedly frozen talks related to a second deal to release the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, in response to the continued attacks on commercial ships by the Houthi rebels, the US sank three Houthi boats in the Red Sea. Washington informed the Houthis that it did not wish to see a wider conflict in the region and called upon them to stop attacking commercial vessels.
Hamas' deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed in a drone strike allegedly carried out by Israel, in Lebanon’s capital Beirut on January 2. Considering this, Hamas has reportedly frozen talks related to a second deal to release the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, in response to the continued attacks on commercial ships by the Houthi rebels, the US sank three Houthi boats in the Red Sea. Washington informed the Houthis that it did not wish to see a wider conflict in the region and called upon them to stop attacking commercial vessels.
China
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message virtually on December 31, 2023. President Xi said the Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery, acknowledging the difficulties the economy has gone through. He added “Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before”. Reiterating his claim made on Mao Ze Dong’s birth anniversary, President Xi stated that China's ‘reunification’ with Taiwan is inevitable, setting a tone for China’s assertive foreign policy roadmap in 2024.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message virtually on December 31, 2023. President Xi said the Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery, acknowledging the difficulties the economy has gone through. He added “Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before”. Reiterating his claim made on Mao Ze Dong’s birth anniversary, President Xi stated that China's ‘reunification’ with Taiwan is inevitable, setting a tone for China’s assertive foreign policy roadmap in 2024.
Central Asia
On January 1, Kazakhstan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) for 2024, as the outgoing Belarus vacated the post. Under the country’s chairmanship, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the organisation would focus on security issues, stressing the need for cooperation in fighting against international terrorism and extremism. Additionally, Kazakhstan proposed to intensify the activities of the expert working group on combating terrorism and extremism under the Committee of Secretaries of the CSTO Security Councils.
On January 1, Kazakhstan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) for 2024, as the outgoing Belarus vacated the post. Under the country’s chairmanship, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the organisation would focus on security issues, stressing the need for cooperation in fighting against international terrorism and extremism. Additionally, Kazakhstan proposed to intensify the activities of the expert working group on combating terrorism and extremism under the Committee of Secretaries of the CSTO Security Councils.
