India’s Proximity Archives
Date: December 26, 2024
South Asia
Four Pakistani groups involved in the country’s long-range missile program face U.S. sanctions, as announced on December 18. These companies have been involved in acquiring components for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. The sanctions were implemented under an executive order which targets proliferators of WMDs and their delivery mechanism. Pakistan and Chinese companies faced similar sanctions in October 2023 and April 2024. Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on December 19, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer called Pakistan’s long-range missile program an “emerging threat” and stated that it is “fundamentally focused on us.” Pakistan denounced sanctions, calling it “discriminatory”.
Four Pakistani groups involved in the country’s long-range missile program face U.S. sanctions, as announced on December 18. These companies have been involved in acquiring components for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program. The sanctions were implemented under an executive order which targets proliferators of WMDs and their delivery mechanism. Pakistan and Chinese companies faced similar sanctions in October 2023 and April 2024. Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on December 19, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer called Pakistan’s long-range missile program an “emerging threat” and stated that it is “fundamentally focused on us.” Pakistan denounced sanctions, calling it “discriminatory”.
Southeast Asia
Thailand recently hosted two consecutive regional meetings to address Myanmar’s political and security crisis. On December 19, the meeting discussed border security and cross-border challenges such as illicit drug trafficking, online scams, and the escalating conflict in Myanmar. This meeting included Myanmar and its immediate neighbours. The second meeting took place on December 20 and involved additional members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This session focused on implementing the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) to address the situation in Myanmar and ensure a smooth transition between the current ASEAN chair and the next in managing the crisis.
East Asia
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya made his first official visit to China after assuming office, on December 25, 2024. The trip marks the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to China since Yoshimasa Hayashi’s trip in April 2023. Iwaya held the Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. He expressed “serious concerns” about China's military buildup, particularly in the East China Sea and near the disputed Senkaku Islands, known as Diaoyu in China. He also addressed the issue of China’s seafood ban imposed after Japan released treated radioactive water from Fukushima. Although no immediate resolution was reached regarding the seafood ban, both ministers agreed to continue high-level discussions and explore economic dialogues in 2025.
West Asia
On December 21-22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kuwait where he met the country's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. The two sides elevated their bilateral relationship to a “strategic partnership” pledging to deepen and expand cooperation. PM Modi invited a delegation from the Kuwait Investment Authority to visit India to explore investment opportunities in energy, pharmaceuticals, defence, medical devices, and food parks. He was awarded Kuwait's highest state honour, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’.
Central Asia
On December 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted an informal Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting and brought together regional leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. During the discussions, participants reviewed the outcomes of their collaborative efforts in 2024 and identified priority areas for multilateral cooperation in the coming year. A key focus was placed on enhancing intra-regional trade by addressing barriers to mutual trade and fostering deeper economic integration. In addition, the summit addressed pressing regional and global issues, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts to combat common challenges and threats. A central theme was enhancing practical cooperation within the CIS framework to ensure regional security and stability.
On December 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted an informal Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting and brought together regional leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. During the discussions, participants reviewed the outcomes of their collaborative efforts in 2024 and identified priority areas for multilateral cooperation in the coming year. A key focus was placed on enhancing intra-regional trade by addressing barriers to mutual trade and fostering deeper economic integration. In addition, the summit addressed pressing regional and global issues, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts to combat common challenges and threats. A central theme was enhancing practical cooperation within the CIS framework to ensure regional security and stability.
Indian Ocean Region
On December 21, 2024, INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s newest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, made its first port call in London, marking the start of its maiden operational deployment. Upon arrival in London, the ship was welcomed by Commodore Robert Bellfield, Royal Navy Commander for London and Eastern England.
On December 21, 2024, INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s newest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, made its first port call in London, marking the start of its maiden operational deployment. Upon arrival in London, the ship was welcomed by Commodore Robert Bellfield, Royal Navy Commander for London and Eastern England.
