India’s Proximity Archives
Date: March 20, 2024
South Asia
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan visited India from March 14-18 and held bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi. Both sides reviewed progress in various areas of the bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. It was PM Tobgay’s first overseas visit after assuming office in January 2024. PM Narendra Modi will pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 21-22.
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan visited India from March 14-18 and held bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi. Both sides reviewed progress in various areas of the bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. It was PM Tobgay’s first overseas visit after assuming office in January 2024. PM Narendra Modi will pay a state visit to Bhutan from March 21-22.
Southeast Asia
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenced his two-day state visit to Manila on March 19, 2024. Blinken met with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, and pledged closer defense and security cooperation between the United States and the Philippines. During his meeting with Philippine President Marcos Jr., the two stressed the importance of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance and reiterated their commitment to upholding international law in the South China Sea.
East Asia
US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken led the US delegation for the third Summit for Democracy hosted by the Republic of Korea on March 17. Blinken warned that a malicious ‘flood of disinformation was threatening the world’s democracies’ fuelled by the rise of artificial intelligence was increasing ‘suspicion, cynicism and instability’ around the globe. He also held bilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and other officials to discuss the South Korea-US Alliance, democracy and security in the Korean Peninsula.
West Asia
China, Russia, and Iran held a joint naval exercise ‘Security Belt – 2024’ from March 11-15 near the Gulf of Oman. The exercise focused on anti-piracy and search and rescue operations. It included training such as firing at sea targets and rescue from hijacked merchant ships. Meanwhile, the G7 warned Iran against sending ballistic missiles to Russia for its war against Ukraine.
Central Asia
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan on March 16, 2024. The ministers addressed cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas, emphasising the importance of strengthening political dialogue at the highest levels. Mirzoyan stressed that Armenia is interested in developing bilateral relations with everyone – from the American continent to East Asia and said, “Of course, relations with Kazakhstan play an important role in this vision”. Following the meeting, Nurtleu and Mirzoyan signed the Program of Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Kazakhstan and Armenia for 2024-2025.
Indian Ocean Region
On March 16, the Indian Navy, through a sustained high tempo of operation lasting over 40 hours, executed a precise anti-piracy operation to recapture a Bulgarian-flagged ship, MV RUEN, from Somali pirates who had held it hostage since December 14, 2023. As part of the maritime security operations, the Indian Navy carried out extensive surveillance in the region and was able to track the movement of the pirate ship. A stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata intercepted the ship approximately 260 nautical miles east of Somalia. It undertook precise, measured actions and engaged in forceful negotiations, resulting in the surrender of pirates and the release of ships. The operation was augmented by INS Subhadra, HALE RPA, P8I maritime patrol aircraft, and Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS). Demonstrating unity and integration, the Indian Air Force, in support of anti-piracy operations, skillfully deployed two Combat Rubberized Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats from C-17 aircraft.
On March 16, the Indian Navy, through a sustained high tempo of operation lasting over 40 hours, executed a precise anti-piracy operation to recapture a Bulgarian-flagged ship, MV RUEN, from Somali pirates who had held it hostage since December 14, 2023. As part of the maritime security operations, the Indian Navy carried out extensive surveillance in the region and was able to track the movement of the pirate ship. A stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata intercepted the ship approximately 260 nautical miles east of Somalia. It undertook precise, measured actions and engaged in forceful negotiations, resulting in the surrender of pirates and the release of ships. The operation was augmented by INS Subhadra, HALE RPA, P8I maritime patrol aircraft, and Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS). Demonstrating unity and integration, the Indian Air Force, in support of anti-piracy operations, skillfully deployed two Combat Rubberized Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats from C-17 aircraft.
