India’s Proximity Archives
Date: February 21, 2024
South Asia
The two-day close door conference on Afghanistan was hosted by the United Nations (UN) in Doha, Qatar on February 18-19. The conference was held to negotiate the global community’s engagement with the de facto authorities, assess the human rights situation in Afghanistan, and garner consensus among nations on appointing a new representative for Afghan conflict resolution. Delegates from approximately 25 countries and international organisations participated in the deliberations. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a post-conference briefing, mentioned that countries agreed to prevent further crisis escalation in Afghanistan, but added that a long road lies ahead.
The two-day close door conference on Afghanistan was hosted by the United Nations (UN) in Doha, Qatar on February 18-19. The conference was held to negotiate the global community’s engagement with the de facto authorities, assess the human rights situation in Afghanistan, and garner consensus among nations on appointing a new representative for Afghan conflict resolution. Delegates from approximately 25 countries and international organisations participated in the deliberations. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a post-conference briefing, mentioned that countries agreed to prevent further crisis escalation in Afghanistan, but added that a long road lies ahead.
Southeast Asia
The Philippine Air Force conducted a joint patrol with the US Pacific Air Forces over the western part of the Philippines on February 19, 2024. This was Phase 2 of the Third Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. In its official statement, the Philippine Air Force said “this cooperative activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their US counterparts”. The Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command rebuked the air patrol as a “publicity stunt” and accused the Philippines of disrupting order in the South China Sea by enlisting countries outside the region.
The Philippine Air Force conducted a joint patrol with the US Pacific Air Forces over the western part of the Philippines on February 19, 2024. This was Phase 2 of the Third Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. In its official statement, the Philippine Air Force said “this cooperative activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their US counterparts”. The Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command rebuked the air patrol as a “publicity stunt” and accused the Philippines of disrupting order in the South China Sea by enlisting countries outside the region.
East Asia
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal visited Tokyo to attend the Japan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction on February 19, 2024. At the conference, Japan pledged 15.8 billion yen (USD 105 million) in new aid for Ukraine to fund demining and other urgently needed reconstruction projects in the energy and transportation sectors, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. PM Kishida stated that “Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine”. He announced the new bilateral tax treaty and the start of negotiations for an investment treaty.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal visited Tokyo to attend the Japan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction on February 19, 2024. At the conference, Japan pledged 15.8 billion yen (USD 105 million) in new aid for Ukraine to fund demining and other urgently needed reconstruction projects in the energy and transportation sectors, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. PM Kishida stated that “Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine”. He announced the new bilateral tax treaty and the start of negotiations for an investment treaty.
West Asia
On February 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘BAPS Hindu Mandir’ (Temple) in Abu Dhabi reflecting the spiritual dimension of India-UAE relations. Further, Prime Minister Modi visited Doha on February 15 and met with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The two leaders discussed a wide range of topics including economic cooperation, investments, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, and people-to-people ties. Meanwhile, on February 17, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Their discussion focused on bilateral strategic partnership, including connectivity initiatives and the current situation in West Asia.
On February 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘BAPS Hindu Mandir’ (Temple) in Abu Dhabi reflecting the spiritual dimension of India-UAE relations. Further, Prime Minister Modi visited Doha on February 15 and met with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The two leaders discussed a wide range of topics including economic cooperation, investments, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, and people-to-people ties. Meanwhile, on February 17, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Their discussion focused on bilateral strategic partnership, including connectivity initiatives and the current situation in West Asia.
China
China is reportedly pressing ahead with the construction of border villages in the disputed territory with Bhutan, despite the ongoing border talks between the two countries. At least three villages have been built in the mountainous region separating the two countries, with some doubling in size. The rapid expansion began as a poverty alleviation scheme, but, serves a dual national security role, the report quoted the ruling Chinese Communist Party officials as saying.
China is reportedly pressing ahead with the construction of border villages in the disputed territory with Bhutan, despite the ongoing border talks between the two countries. At least three villages have been built in the mountainous region separating the two countries, with some doubling in size. The rapid expansion began as a poverty alleviation scheme, but, serves a dual national security role, the report quoted the ruling Chinese Communist Party officials as saying.
Central Asia
The fifth European Union (EU) – Central Asia meeting focusing on Afghanistan took place in Bishkek on February 14, 2024. Discussion centred around the situation in Afghanistan, with particular emphasis placed on finding effective ways to interact with the country’s de facto government. The head of the Kazakh delegation, Ambassador for Special Tasks, Talgat Kaliyev, outlined Kazakhstan’s vision of the prospects for cooperation with Afghanistan in the trade and transport sphere.
The fifth European Union (EU) – Central Asia meeting focusing on Afghanistan took place in Bishkek on February 14, 2024. Discussion centred around the situation in Afghanistan, with particular emphasis placed on finding effective ways to interact with the country’s de facto government. The head of the Kazakh delegation, Ambassador for Special Tasks, Talgat Kaliyev, outlined Kazakhstan’s vision of the prospects for cooperation with Afghanistan in the trade and transport sphere.
