India's Proximity Archives
Date: May 22, 2024
South Asia
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda' won a vote of confidence in Parliament on May 20, his fourth within 18 months of taking office. The vote became necessary after a coalition partner, the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), withdrew its support and quit the coalition government. The opposition Nepali Congress boycotted the voting process.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda' won a vote of confidence in Parliament on May 20, his fourth within 18 months of taking office. The vote became necessary after a coalition partner, the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), withdrew its support and quit the coalition government. The opposition Nepali Congress boycotted the voting process.
Southeast Asia
Cambodia and China commenced their annual military drill “Golden Dragon” on May 16, 2024. The 15-day military exercise will involve the participation of 2,000 troops, including 760 Chinese military personnel, 14 warships – three from China – two helicopters and 69 armoured vehicles and tanks. The drills are taking place at a remote training centre in central Kampong Chhnang province and in the sea off Preah Sihanouk province. Cambodian army spokesman Thong Solimo stated that the 2024 exercises were the “biggest ever of their kind”.
Cambodia and China commenced their annual military drill “Golden Dragon” on May 16, 2024. The 15-day military exercise will involve the participation of 2,000 troops, including 760 Chinese military personnel, 14 warships – three from China – two helicopters and 69 armoured vehicles and tanks. The drills are taking place at a remote training centre in central Kampong Chhnang province and in the sea off Preah Sihanouk province. Cambodian army spokesman Thong Solimo stated that the 2024 exercises were the “biggest ever of their kind”.
East Asia
Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day visit to China on May 17, 2024. He met with President Xi Jinping of China and Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council. He attended the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 China-Russia Cultural Year, a special concert marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and the 8th China-Russia Expo. The two sides agreed to "further deepen mutual military trust and cooperation" through expansion of military exercises, regular maritime and air patrols, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral coordination, according to the joint statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day visit to China on May 17, 2024. He met with President Xi Jinping of China and Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council. He attended the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 China-Russia Cultural Year, a special concert marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and the 8th China-Russia Expo. The two sides agreed to "further deepen mutual military trust and cooperation" through expansion of military exercises, regular maritime and air patrols, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral coordination, according to the joint statement.
West Asia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at the death of Iran's President Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who died in a helicopter crash in the province of East Azerbaijan on May 20. Meanwhile, on May 21, the ‘International Criminal Court’ (ICC) prosecutor filed arrest warrant applications against Hamas militants Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, and Ismail Haniyeh bearing criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC prosecutor has also filed arrest warrant applications against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Central Asia
The foreign ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states convened for a Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana on May 21. India’s representative Secretary (Economic Relations) of the Ministry of External Affairs Dammu Ravi discussed preparations for the upcoming SCO Council of Heads of State Summit. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the SCO countries to uphold the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and common development. He emphasized the need to strengthen the organization to safeguard common interests and uphold international fairness and justice.
Indian Ocean Region
The 2nd edition of the India–Australia–Indonesia Trilateral Maritime Security Workshop (TMSW) was conducted from May 15-17, at INS Dronacharya, Kochi. The theme of the workshop was ‘Indian Ocean Region: Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Regional Maritime Security’. The workshop was conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Southern Naval Command and witnessed the participation of delegates from the three participating Navies.
