India's Proximity Archives
Date: July 03, 2024
South Asia
The third round of U.N.-led talks to explore engagement with Afghanistan was held on June 30 and July 1 in Doha, Qatar. Representatives from over 25 countries, and at least five international organizations participated in the closed-door session. Participants agreed to continue to engage with Afghanistan while the UN ruled out recognising the de facto regime unless the Taliban ended curbs on women’s education and participation in public life. The Taliban delegation attended the meeting for the first time. India was represented JP Singh, Joint Secretary PAI division in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The third round of U.N.-led talks to explore engagement with Afghanistan was held on June 30 and July 1 in Doha, Qatar. Representatives from over 25 countries, and at least five international organizations participated in the closed-door session. Participants agreed to continue to engage with Afghanistan while the UN ruled out recognising the de facto regime unless the Taliban ended curbs on women’s education and participation in public life. The Taliban delegation attended the meeting for the first time. India was represented JP Singh, Joint Secretary PAI division in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Southeast Asia
The 9th meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM), co-chaired by the Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, was convened in Manila on July 2. This comes after the latest escalation between the Chinese coast guard and Philippine naval vessels in the Second Thomas Shoal on June 17. The two countries held “frank and constructive discussions” and reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines stated that “both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction”, according to the official statement.
The 9th meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM), co-chaired by the Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, was convened in Manila on July 2. This comes after the latest escalation between the Chinese coast guard and Philippine naval vessels in the Second Thomas Shoal on June 17. The two countries held “frank and constructive discussions” and reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines stated that “both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction”, according to the official statement.
East Asia
On June 27, it was reported that China’s Communist Party expelled former defence minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe for “serious violations of discipline”, a euphemism for corruption. Li was removed last October without explanation after he vanished from public view amid a series of high-level shakeups. Chinese authorities on June 27 made the first official confirmation that graft allegations are behind his dramatic disappearance. In another sign of the scale of the high-level purges, Li’s predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also expelled from the Communist Party on the same day over alleged corruption.
On June 27, it was reported that China’s Communist Party expelled former defence minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe for “serious violations of discipline”, a euphemism for corruption. Li was removed last October without explanation after he vanished from public view amid a series of high-level shakeups. Chinese authorities on June 27 made the first official confirmation that graft allegations are behind his dramatic disappearance. In another sign of the scale of the high-level purges, Li’s predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also expelled from the Communist Party on the same day over alleged corruption.
West Asia
On June 30, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Qatar and met the country’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. As part of the discussion, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, energy, and technology, as well as regional and global issues, including the Gaza conflict.
On June 30, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Qatar and met the country’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. As part of the discussion, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, energy, and technology, as well as regional and global issues, including the Gaza conflict.
Central Asia
In an interview with Xinhua on July 1, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit participants (scheduled for July 4) will urge the international community to initiate an honest and open global dialogue, adopt a new security paradigm, create a fair economic environment, and take the necessary steps to maintain the planet’s cleanliness. Additionally, in the interview, Tokayev expressed his support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and praised President Xi Jinping’s concept of a community with a common destiny for humankind, which in the current international situation is gaining new relevance and is designed to promote the formation of an equal and multipolar world.
In an interview with Xinhua on July 1, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit participants (scheduled for July 4) will urge the international community to initiate an honest and open global dialogue, adopt a new security paradigm, create a fair economic environment, and take the necessary steps to maintain the planet’s cleanliness. Additionally, in the interview, Tokayev expressed his support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and praised President Xi Jinping’s concept of a community with a common destiny for humankind, which in the current international situation is gaining new relevance and is designed to promote the formation of an equal and multipolar world.
Indian Ocean Region
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy arrived in Bangladesh for a four-day official visit from 01 – 04 Jul 24. The CNS held bilateral discussions with his counterpart Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy in Dhaka and reviewed the Passing Out Parade at Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) at Chittagong. The Admiral also called on Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on July 2. The visit aims to consolidate India - Bangladesh bilateral defence relations and explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy arrived in Bangladesh for a four-day official visit from 01 – 04 Jul 24. The CNS held bilateral discussions with his counterpart Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy in Dhaka and reviewed the Passing Out Parade at Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) at Chittagong. The Admiral also called on Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on July 2. The visit aims to consolidate India - Bangladesh bilateral defence relations and explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
