India's Proximity Archives
Date: August 28, 2024
South Asia
On August 23, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, marking the first visit by an Indian leader since Ukraine's independence in 1991. During the trip, Modi held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Joint Statement reiterated “India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy”. After his return, PM Modi held telephonic call with President Biden and President Putin, respectively on August 26 and 27 and shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine.
On August 23, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, marking the first visit by an Indian leader since Ukraine's independence in 1991. During the trip, Modi held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Joint Statement reiterated “India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy”. After his return, PM Modi held telephonic call with President Biden and President Putin, respectively on August 26 and 27 and shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine.
Southeast Asia
The Second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) took place in Singapore on August 26, 2024. The Indian delegation consisted of Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Railways, Information and Broadcasting. The two sides reviewed progress of the India – Singapore Strategic Partnership, in areas of digitalisation, skills development, sustainability, healthcare and medicine. They added two new pillars – advanced manufacturing and connectivity – to expand bilateral cooperation. During their visit, the Indian ministers called on Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore and Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore.
East Asia
In hopes of maintaining their channel of communication to “stabilize” bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing on August 27. Acknowledging the rocky relationship over the past few years, Wang expressed his hope that this new round of China-U.S. strategic communication could promote bilateral relations following the “San Francisco vision”. Prior to the meeting, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the “unreasonable accusation” by the US that China is a threat to the international order. He stated that “China will not follow the old path of Western colonial plunder”, but instead adheres “to peaceful development, pursues win-win cooperation, and firmly maintains the international system and international order with the United Nations at its core”.
In hopes of maintaining their channel of communication to “stabilize” bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing on August 27. Acknowledging the rocky relationship over the past few years, Wang expressed his hope that this new round of China-U.S. strategic communication could promote bilateral relations following the “San Francisco vision”. Prior to the meeting, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the “unreasonable accusation” by the US that China is a threat to the international order. He stated that “China will not follow the old path of Western colonial plunder”, but instead adheres “to peaceful development, pursues win-win cooperation, and firmly maintains the international system and international order with the United Nations at its core”.
West Asia
On August 25, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel, in retaliation for the killing of its senior commander Fuad Shukr. The Israeli military pre-empted with airstrikes on Hezbollah rocket launchers and drones in Lebanon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman informed that Hezbollah's attack was mostly thwarted and that no military base was damaged. According to General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Iran remains a significant threat as it considers attacking Israel. However, the risk of a broader regional conflict has eased somewhat in the near-term as Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire without further escalation.
On August 25, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel, in retaliation for the killing of its senior commander Fuad Shukr. The Israeli military pre-empted with airstrikes on Hezbollah rocket launchers and drones in Lebanon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman informed that Hezbollah's attack was mostly thwarted and that no military base was damaged. According to General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Iran remains a significant threat as it considers attacking Israel. However, the risk of a broader regional conflict has eased somewhat in the near-term as Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire without further escalation.
Read More…
Central Asia
On August 22, a historic treaty on allied relations between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan was signed during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Tajikistan. After the meeting and negotiations between the leaders of Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, a ceremony of signing of 16 new documents of cooperation was held in the presence and with the participation of the heads of state. In a joint statement after bilateral negotiations, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon stated that the important agreement will “open a new page in the annals of cooperation between the two countries and will be the solid foundation of our strategic partnership”.
On August 22, a historic treaty on allied relations between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan was signed during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Tajikistan. After the meeting and negotiations between the leaders of Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, a ceremony of signing of 16 new documents of cooperation was held in the presence and with the participation of the heads of state. In a joint statement after bilateral negotiations, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon stated that the important agreement will “open a new page in the annals of cooperation between the two countries and will be the solid foundation of our strategic partnership”.
Indian Ocean Region
On August 22, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES conducted a Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) operation in response to the MV Sounion’s urgent request for assistance after it was attacked by Houthi rebels on August 21 in the Red Sea. On August 23, the vessel was attacked by an unknown source, which resulted in a fire posing a significant environmental threat due to the large volume of crude oil on board. The tanker is carrying 150,000 tons. The Sounion was the third vessel operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers to be attacked in the Red Sea this month.
On August 22, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES conducted a Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) operation in response to the MV Sounion’s urgent request for assistance after it was attacked by Houthi rebels on August 21 in the Red Sea. On August 23, the vessel was attacked by an unknown source, which resulted in a fire posing a significant environmental threat due to the large volume of crude oil on board. The tanker is carrying 150,000 tons. The Sounion was the third vessel operated by Athens-based Delta Tankers to be attacked in the Red Sea this month.
