India's Proximity Archives
Date: May 29, 2024
South Asia
Russia’s Special Presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said that the Taliban “can be removed” from the list of designated terrorist organizations. Kabulov noted on May 27 that the Taliban had “come a long way towards being recognized” since seizing power. “But there are still a few hurdles to overcome, after which the Russian leadership will make a decision.” Russia also invited the Taliban to attend a June 5-8 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Russia’s Special Presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said that the Taliban “can be removed” from the list of designated terrorist organizations. Kabulov noted on May 27 that the Taliban had “come a long way towards being recognized” since seizing power. “But there are still a few hurdles to overcome, after which the Russian leadership will make a decision.” Russia also invited the Taliban to attend a June 5-8 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Southeast Asia
On May 27, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs reported that China informed the Philippines of its unilateral imposition of a fishing ban in "areas of the South China Sea north of the 12 degrees North latitude” that would last till September 16. This directly “contravenes the understanding between Philippines President Marcos Jr. and China’s President Xi Jinping to manage differences through diplomacy and dialogue and to de-escalate the situation at sea," the foreign affairs statement says. The Philippines has officially lodged a diplomatic protest against the ban.
On May 27, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs reported that China informed the Philippines of its unilateral imposition of a fishing ban in "areas of the South China Sea north of the 12 degrees North latitude” that would last till September 16. This directly “contravenes the understanding between Philippines President Marcos Jr. and China’s President Xi Jinping to manage differences through diplomacy and dialogue and to de-escalate the situation at sea," the foreign affairs statement says. The Philippines has officially lodged a diplomatic protest against the ban.
East Asia
The ninth trilateral meeting between Japan, South Korea and China, the first in over four years, was convened in Seoul on May 27. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed to put aside their bilateral differences and revive the high-level dialogue meetings. The leaders agreed to enhance collaboration on cross-cutting issues in six areas including economy and trade, sustainable development, public health, science and technology, disaster and safety management, and people-to-people exchanges, the leaders also announced resumption of negotiations for a trilateral free trade agreement.
The ninth trilateral meeting between Japan, South Korea and China, the first in over four years, was convened in Seoul on May 27. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed to put aside their bilateral differences and revive the high-level dialogue meetings. The leaders agreed to enhance collaboration on cross-cutting issues in six areas including economy and trade, sustainable development, public health, science and technology, disaster and safety management, and people-to-people exchanges, the leaders also announced resumption of negotiations for a trilateral free trade agreement.
West Asia
Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognised Palestine on May 28. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed that Madrid’s decision has a single goal and that is to help Israel and Palestine achieve peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognition of Palestine as a “reward for terrorism” and as complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes. The Arab League welcomed the recognition of Palestine and urged other nations to follow suit.
Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognised Palestine on May 28. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed that Madrid’s decision has a single goal and that is to help Israel and Palestine achieve peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognition of Palestine as a “reward for terrorism” and as complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes. The Arab League welcomed the recognition of Palestine and urged other nations to follow suit.
Central Asia
Russia and Uzbekistan on May 27 signed an accord for Moscow to ‘design, deliver and construct’ a small nuclear power plant in the Central Asian country. Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev wherein several intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents were signed during the latter’s state visit to Uzbekistan. President Mirziyoyev hailed the project as “vital” in remarks after the talks, noting that Uzbekistan has “its own large reserves of uranium”. President Putin, in turn, vowed to “do everything in order to work effectively on Uzbekistan’s (nuclear energy) market.”
Russia and Uzbekistan on May 27 signed an accord for Moscow to ‘design, deliver and construct’ a small nuclear power plant in the Central Asian country. Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev wherein several intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents were signed during the latter’s state visit to Uzbekistan. President Mirziyoyev hailed the project as “vital” in remarks after the talks, noting that Uzbekistan has “its own large reserves of uranium”. President Putin, in turn, vowed to “do everything in order to work effectively on Uzbekistan’s (nuclear energy) market.”
Indian Ocean Region
The European Union's Operation ATALANTA successfully freed the Liberian-flagged cargo ship M/V Basilisk from suspected Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean on May 24. The ship was attacked by the suspected pirates on May 23 while sailing approximately 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, heading north. The EU naval force responded by sending one of its warships and boarding the Basilisk from a helicopter on the night of May 23 to free the vessel. Operation Atalanta confirmed that all 17 crew members are safe, and the ship has been secured by one of its vessels.
The European Union's Operation ATALANTA successfully freed the Liberian-flagged cargo ship M/V Basilisk from suspected Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean on May 24. The ship was attacked by the suspected pirates on May 23 while sailing approximately 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, heading north. The EU naval force responded by sending one of its warships and boarding the Basilisk from a helicopter on the night of May 23 to free the vessel. Operation Atalanta confirmed that all 17 crew members are safe, and the ship has been secured by one of its vessels.
