India’s Proximity Archives
Date: April 03, 2024
South Asia
US President Joe Biden felicitated Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on April 29, in the first communication between President Biden and Pakistan’s leadership since he assumed office in 2021. President Biden recalled areas in which the US is helping Pakistan, such as health security, economic growth, and access to education. PM Shehbaz Sharif responded, on March 31 seeking enduring ties with the US.
US President Joe Biden felicitated Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on April 29, in the first communication between President Biden and Pakistan’s leadership since he assumed office in 2021. President Biden recalled areas in which the US is helping Pakistan, such as health security, economic growth, and access to education. PM Shehbaz Sharif responded, on March 31 seeking enduring ties with the US.
Southeast Asia
External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar made an official visit to Malaysia from March 27-28, 2024. He called on the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Bin Ibrahim, and held bilateral meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Bin Haji Hasa, and Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in multiple areas including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture and education. Prime Minister Ibrahim reiterated his commitment to facilitate the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Malaysia.
External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar made an official visit to Malaysia from March 27-28, 2024. He called on the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Bin Ibrahim, and held bilateral meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Bin Haji Hasa, and Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in multiple areas including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture and education. Prime Minister Ibrahim reiterated his commitment to facilitate the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Malaysia.
East Asia
United States President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had their first direct conversation since November on April 2. The White House described their talk as a “constructive discussion” on various bilateral, regional, and global issues, including areas of cooperation and areas of difference, while the Chinese readout described the discussion as “candid and constructive”. There was, however, little forward movement in resolution of irritants from both sides.
United States President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had their first direct conversation since November on April 2. The White House described their talk as a “constructive discussion” on various bilateral, regional, and global issues, including areas of cooperation and areas of difference, while the Chinese readout described the discussion as “candid and constructive”. There was, however, little forward movement in resolution of irritants from both sides.
West Asia
IRGC Quds Force Commander Mohammed Reza Zahedi and seven other officers were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria on April 1. Iran warned of a “serious response” stating that due to Washington’s support for Israel, the US was “answerable”. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that Israel is engaged in a multi-front war and will operate throughout the Middle East to prevent the enemies from gaining strength.
IRGC Quds Force Commander Mohammed Reza Zahedi and seven other officers were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria on April 1. Iran warned of a “serious response” stating that due to Washington’s support for Israel, the US was “answerable”. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that Israel is engaged in a multi-front war and will operate throughout the Middle East to prevent the enemies from gaining strength.
Central Asia
On March 28, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Zhang Ming, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), on the sidelines of the Boao Asian Forum. During the meeting, issues of development of the SCO and its further improvement were discussed in detail. The President said that the Kazakh side attaches special importance to the upcoming summit of the organisation under the theme of “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue - Striving for Sustainable Peace and Development”.
On March 28, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Zhang Ming, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), on the sidelines of the Boao Asian Forum. During the meeting, issues of development of the SCO and its further improvement were discussed in detail. The President said that the Kazakh side attaches special importance to the upcoming summit of the organisation under the theme of “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue - Striving for Sustainable Peace and Development”.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy conducted another successful anti-piracy operation on March 29, recapturing the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel “Al-Kambar” and forcing the surrender of nine armed pirates The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, was safely rescued. The pirates are being brought to India for further legal action in accordance with the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022.
The Indian Navy conducted another successful anti-piracy operation on March 29, recapturing the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel “Al-Kambar” and forcing the surrender of nine armed pirates The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, was safely rescued. The pirates are being brought to India for further legal action in accordance with the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022.
