India’s Proximity Archives
Date: February 28, 2024
South Asia
From February 22 to 25, the Coast Guards of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka conducted a four-day trilateral exercise called ‘Dosti-16’ in Male. Bangladesh participated as an observer. The aim of the exercise was to identify emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and enhance maritime security and interoperability. Five Coast Guard ships from three countries participated in the exercise.
From February 22 to 25, the Coast Guards of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka conducted a four-day trilateral exercise called ‘Dosti-16’ in Male. Bangladesh participated as an observer. The aim of the exercise was to identify emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and enhance maritime security and interoperability. Five Coast Guard ships from three countries participated in the exercise.
Southeast Asia
'Cobra Gold 2024', Southeast Asia's longest-running military exercise commenced on February 26. The exercise was co-hosted by Thailand and the United States and will be concluded on March 8. It witnessed the participation of thirty countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. India will join humanitarian assistance training exercises along with China. The annual drill is aimed at enhancing interoperability, strengthening relations among the participating nations, as well as handling cyber security threats and national disasters.
East Asia
China’s Fujan Coast Guard conducted patrols in waters near Taiwan-administered Quemoy, also known as Kinmen Island, on February 25, 2024. Large vessels that mainland China’s coast guard uses to sail around the contested Diaoyu Islands were sent on a law-enforcement patrol where two mainland fishermen died earlier this month fleeing Taiwan’s coastguard. A Taiwanese minister told reporters that five Chinese coast guard ships entered prohibited or restricted waters of Taiwan.
West Asia
On February 22, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, presented a document entitled “The Day After Hamas” laying out principles regarding the management of Gaza following the war with Hamas. To manage Gaza's civil affairs, Israel intends to install “local officials” with administrative experience who do not have ties to countries or organisations that support terrorism. The Israeli military will continue to wage war in Gaza until Hamas and Islamic Jihad are destroyed, the hostages abducted on October 7th are returned, and long-term security threats are removed. Meanwhile, Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) backed a government decision rejecting unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.
China
India and China held the 21st round of military talks on February 19. The discussions sought complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas. Further, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that the two sides shared their perspectives on disengaging from the remaining friction points along the LAC. Both sides agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms.
Central Asia
Azerbaijan has signed a contract to purchase Pakistan-Chinese Fighter Jets, JF-17 Thunder Block III (also known as FC-1 Xiaolong), equipped with enhanced radar systems and state-of-the-art weaponry. According to reports from the Air Operation Syndicate, citing sources in Islamabad, these new aircraft would replace Azerbaijan’s current fleet of Russian-made MiG-29 fighters. This move comes as Armenia is also increasing its defences, particularly against Azerbaijan's aerial threat. Armenia has acquired equipment from India and France such as the Akash surface-to-air missiles..
