India's Proximity Archives
Date: October 23, 2024
South Asia
Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif-led government, along with political ally PPP and other parties, approved a new constitutional amendment on October 20. The amendment aims to address ongoing political instability in Pakistan by granting legislators more authority in appointing senior judges, with a specific focus on judicial reforms. The 26th Constitution Amendment Bill consists of 22 amendment clauses that include provisions to limit the Supreme Court’s suo moto powers, establish a three-year term for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), and grant the prime minister the authority to select the next CJP from the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court.
Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif-led government, along with political ally PPP and other parties, approved a new constitutional amendment on October 20. The amendment aims to address ongoing political instability in Pakistan by granting legislators more authority in appointing senior judges, with a specific focus on judicial reforms. The 26th Constitution Amendment Bill consists of 22 amendment clauses that include provisions to limit the Supreme Court’s suo moto powers, establish a three-year term for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), and grant the prime minister the authority to select the next CJP from the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court.
Southeast Asia
India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita made an official visit to Indonesia from October 9-10, 2024. The Minister attended the inauguration ceremony of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the parliament complex in Jakarta on October 20, 2024. He conveyed warm greetings to the President on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
East Asia
On October 22, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and China have reached an agreement on “patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border area”. The agreement is intended to lead to “disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020 and we will be taking the next steps on this”, remarked Vikram Misri. The Foreign Ministry spokesman of China, Lin Jian, stated that “now both sides have arrived at a resolution on the relevant matter, which China views favourably.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on October 23, the first interaction between the two leaders since 2019.
On October 22, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and China have reached an agreement on “patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border area”. The agreement is intended to lead to “disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020 and we will be taking the next steps on this”, remarked Vikram Misri. The Foreign Ministry spokesman of China, Lin Jian, stated that “now both sides have arrived at a resolution on the relevant matter, which China views favourably.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on October 23, the first interaction between the two leaders since 2019.
West Asia
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, the mastermind of the terror attack on Israel on October 16. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Sinwar's death as the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza and said that if Hamas gave up its weapons and returned hostages, the war could end tomorrow. Meanwhile, Lebanese terror group Hezbollah launched a drone attack on PM Netanyahu’s holiday residence in northern Israel. Amidst this, on October 22, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem to reaffirm the US' ironclad commitment to Israel's defence and security.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, the mastermind of the terror attack on Israel on October 16. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Sinwar's death as the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza and said that if Hamas gave up its weapons and returned hostages, the war could end tomorrow. Meanwhile, Lebanese terror group Hezbollah launched a drone attack on PM Netanyahu’s holiday residence in northern Israel. Amidst this, on October 22, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem to reaffirm the US' ironclad commitment to Israel's defence and security.
Central Asia
On October 16, Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Secretary Berik Uali stated in an interview that, at present and likely for the foreseeable future, Kazakhstan will not pursue BRICS membership. In his opinion, the decision is influenced by the multi-stage process required for membership consideration, as well as other factors pertaining to the developmental prospects of the association. Furthermore, in response to a question about which organisation Kazakhstan prioritises, Uali went on to say that Tokayev has repeatedly spoken out in favour of the UN as a “universal and uncontested organisation.”
Indian Ocean Region
The 28th Edition of Multinational Maritime Exercise MALABAR 2024 involving Quad nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—concluded on October 18 in Visakhapatnam. This edition featured extensive participation from warships, helicopters, long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and submarines, engaging in advanced exercises across surface, sub-surface, and air warfare domains. Key activities included surface weapon firings, anti-air operations, air defence drills, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and complex seamanship evolutions. Begun in 1992 as a bilateral drill between the Indian Navy and the US Navy, the MALABAR Exercise has evolved into a Multinational Maritime Exercise involving all Quad nations, with Japan joining in 2015 and Australia in 2020.
