India's Proximity Archives
Date: February 07, 2024
South Asia
On February 2, the second meeting of the India-Maldives High Level Core Group was held in New Delhi. During the meeting, both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives. The Maldives Foreign Ministry statement said that both sides agreed that India will withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives by May 10, but will continue to operate the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the island nation with the help of Indian civilian replacements and Maldivian defence personnel. Meanwhile, on January 31, the Maldives defense ministry claimed that its military was informed that personnel from the Indian coast guard had boarded a Maldives fishing vessel.
On February 2, the second meeting of the India-Maldives High Level Core Group was held in New Delhi. During the meeting, both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives. The Maldives Foreign Ministry statement said that both sides agreed that India will withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives by May 10, but will continue to operate the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the island nation with the help of Indian civilian replacements and Maldivian defence personnel. Meanwhile, on January 31, the Maldives defense ministry claimed that its military was informed that personnel from the Indian coast guard had boarded a Maldives fishing vessel.
Southeast Asia
Thailand Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, concluded a successful two-day official visit to Sri Lanka on February 4. He was in Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to participate in the 76th Anniversary celebrations of Sri Lanka’s Independence as Guest of Honour. During his visit, the two countries signed the Sri Lanka – Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) aimed at enhancing market opportunities, with negotiations covering various aspects such as Trade in Goods, Investment, Customs Procedure, and Intellectual Property Rights, according to the official statement. The two countries also renewed the Air Services Agreement and entered a MoU on cooperation in the Gems and Jewellery sector.
East Asia
The US military and Japan’s Self Defence Forces (JSDF) began a bilateral command post exercise known as ‘Keen Edge 24’, with the participation of the Australian Defence Force on February 1, 2024. It was reported that the JSDF and the US military named China as a hypothetical enemy for the first time including a simulation which envisioned an emergency in Taiwan. In the past, during the previous exercises, a provisional name has been used when referring to the enemy.
The US military and Japan’s Self Defence Forces (JSDF) began a bilateral command post exercise known as ‘Keen Edge 24’, with the participation of the Australian Defence Force on February 1, 2024. It was reported that the JSDF and the US military named China as a hypothetical enemy for the first time including a simulation which envisioned an emergency in Taiwan. In the past, during the previous exercises, a provisional name has been used when referring to the enemy.
West Asia
On February 2, the US conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups, in response to a drone attack on a US base in Jordan. While tensions continue to rage in the Middle East, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken held meetings with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar between February 5-7. Washington intends to ensure the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza, enhance humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, prevent the spread of conflict, defend the right to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and continue discussions on creating a more integrated Middle East.
China
A video recording of Chinese soldiers intercepting Indian shepherds in the Kakjung area of Ladakh is reportedly being circulated in social media.The confrontation, which happened on January 2, involved the shepherds throwing rocks at the Chinese personnel.The incident transpired near Patrolling Points (PPs) 35 and 36 at Kakjung under the Nyoma constituency in Ladakh. Ishey Spalzang, Councillor of Nyoma told the paper that the disputed area aligns with India's perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Central Asia
The Republic of Kazakhstan chaired a regular meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) National Coordinators at the SCO Secretariat in Beijing on February 1. The participants reviewed the preparations for meetings of the SCO Heads of State Council, the SCO Foreign Ministers Council and continued to work with drafting political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian documents. They discussed various proposals for streamlining the organisation’s executive mechanisms in implementing the resolutions of the SCO Heads of State Council that were adopted in Dushanbe in 2021 and Samarkand in 2022.
