India’s Proximity Archives
Date: December 18, 2024
South Asia
President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited India from December 15-17. He met President Droupadi Murmu and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, among other officials. At a joint press conference with President Dissanayake, Prime Minister Modi announced the decision to swiftly finalise a bilateral security cooperation agreement. President Dissanayake assured that he would not allow his country’s territory to be used against India. Sharing a forward-looking vision, both nations agreed to strengthen their partnership by building an interconnected electricity grid and jointly developing petroleum pipelines.
President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited India from December 15-17. He met President Droupadi Murmu and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, among other officials. At a joint press conference with President Dissanayake, Prime Minister Modi announced the decision to swiftly finalise a bilateral security cooperation agreement. President Dissanayake assured that he would not allow his country’s territory to be used against India. Sharing a forward-looking vision, both nations agreed to strengthen their partnership by building an interconnected electricity grid and jointly developing petroleum pipelines.
Southeast Asia
On December 17, during a meeting between India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Indonesian Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the latter evinced keen interest in collaborating with India in defence technology. The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and various aspects of defence collaboration, including joint exercises. According to the Indian Navy Spokesperson, maritime cooperation including operational engagements and joint training initiatives were also discussed. The Indonesian Defence Ministry stated that Admiral Tripathi explained that India is developing indigenous technologies to support the advancement of its Navy and Gen. Sjafrie appreciated the rapid progress in the domain.
On December 17, during a meeting between India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Indonesian Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the latter evinced keen interest in collaborating with India in defence technology. The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and various aspects of defence collaboration, including joint exercises. According to the Indian Navy Spokesperson, maritime cooperation including operational engagements and joint training initiatives were also discussed. The Indonesian Defence Ministry stated that Admiral Tripathi explained that India is developing indigenous technologies to support the advancement of its Navy and Gen. Sjafrie appreciated the rapid progress in the domain.
East Asia
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly over his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. On December 14, the National Assembly voted on the impeachment motion, resulting in 204 votes in favour, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of a total of 300 lawmakers. Notably, some members of Yoon’s own ruling People Power Party (PPP) supported the impeachment, indicating a significant shift in political allegiance following his decree. After lawmakers voted against martial law, Yoon's presidential powers were suspended. The Constitutional Court now has up to 180 days to review the impeachment and decide whether to uphold or overturn it. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over the role of acting president.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly over his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. On December 14, the National Assembly voted on the impeachment motion, resulting in 204 votes in favour, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of a total of 300 lawmakers. Notably, some members of Yoon’s own ruling People Power Party (PPP) supported the impeachment, indicating a significant shift in political allegiance following his decree. After lawmakers voted against martial law, Yoon's presidential powers were suspended. The Constitutional Court now has up to 180 days to review the impeachment and decide whether to uphold or overturn it. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over the role of acting president.
West Asia
The Arab Ministerial Contact Group on Syria, consisting of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Secretary-General of the Arab League, met in Aqaba, Jordan, on December 14. They affirmed support for a peaceful Syrian-led political transition that includes all political and social factions in the country. All parties condemned Israel's incursions into the buffer zone with Syria and called upon Tel Aviv to withdraw from these occupied areas. Meanwhile, the Israeli government approved a plan to invest USD 11 million to increase the number of Israeli residents in the occupied Golan Heights.
The Arab Ministerial Contact Group on Syria, consisting of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Secretary-General of the Arab League, met in Aqaba, Jordan, on December 14. They affirmed support for a peaceful Syrian-led political transition that includes all political and social factions in the country. All parties condemned Israel's incursions into the buffer zone with Syria and called upon Tel Aviv to withdraw from these occupied areas. Meanwhile, the Israeli government approved a plan to invest USD 11 million to increase the number of Israeli residents in the occupied Golan Heights.
Central Asia
On December 15, during a working visit to Afghanistan, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to review the progress of major energy, transport, and infrastructure projects involving Turkmenistan in Afghanistan. The ministers inspected the ongoing construction of the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline and agreed to accelerate its implementation. Turkmenistan has already completed its section of the TAPI pipeline, designed to transport 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmen natural gas annually to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
On December 15, during a working visit to Afghanistan, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to review the progress of major energy, transport, and infrastructure projects involving Turkmenistan in Afghanistan. The ministers inspected the ongoing construction of the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline and agreed to accelerate its implementation. Turkmenistan has already completed its section of the TAPI pipeline, designed to transport 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmen natural gas annually to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Indian Ocean Region
The 11th edition of the Sri Lanka–India naval exercise, SLINEX-24, is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam from December 17 to 20, 2024. The exercise consists of two phases: a Harbour Phase on December 17-18, focusing on professional exchanges and planning discussions, and a Sea Phase on December 19-20, featuring joint operational drills such as special forces operations and navigation exercises. Participating units include India's INS Sumitra and Sri Lanka's SLNS Sayura. SLINEX-24 aims to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies, reinforcing their commitment to regional maritime security.
The 11th edition of the Sri Lanka–India naval exercise, SLINEX-24, is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam from December 17 to 20, 2024. The exercise consists of two phases: a Harbour Phase on December 17-18, focusing on professional exchanges and planning discussions, and a Sea Phase on December 19-20, featuring joint operational drills such as special forces operations and navigation exercises. Participating units include India's INS Sumitra and Sri Lanka's SLNS Sayura. SLINEX-24 aims to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies, reinforcing their commitment to regional maritime security.
