India’s Proximity Archives
Date: January 15, 2025
South Asia
On January 8th, a meeting took place in Dubai between Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary, and Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri affirmed India’s commitment to addressing Afghanistan’s pressing developmental needs, promising future development projects alongside existing humanitarian aid. Following an Afghan request, India pledged additional material aid for healthcare and refugee rehabilitation. A Taliban statement highlighted their goal of building stronger political and economic ties with India, “a major regional and economic partner”.
On January 8th, a meeting took place in Dubai between Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary, and Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri affirmed India’s commitment to addressing Afghanistan’s pressing developmental needs, promising future development projects alongside existing humanitarian aid. Following an Afghan request, India pledged additional material aid for healthcare and refugee rehabilitation. A Taliban statement highlighted their goal of building stronger political and economic ties with India, “a major regional and economic partner”.
Southeast Asia
On January 11, President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto welcomed the Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru at the Bogor Presidential Palace for an official visit. President Prabowo characterised the visit as a demonstration of the unwavering commitment between the two countries to strengthen and enhance their bilateral relations across multiple sectors. During the subsequent press conference, President Prabowo underscored Japan's commitment to fostering these relations by supporting his initiative to provide nutritious food for Indonesian children. The two leaders also pledged to work “more closely on security matters” and agreed to initiate discussions between defence officials regarding maritime security, including engagement in defence equipment technology cooperation.
East Asia
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a virtual meeting on January 12 to reinforce cooperation among the three nations. This meeting focused on trilateral maritime security, economic collaboration, and addressing China's “dangerous and unlawful behaviour” in the South China Sea. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in light of increasing tensions in regional waters, particularly concerning China's expansive claims over the South China Sea, which have been contested by international law.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a virtual meeting on January 12 to reinforce cooperation among the three nations. This meeting focused on trilateral maritime security, economic collaboration, and addressing China's “dangerous and unlawful behaviour” in the South China Sea. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in light of increasing tensions in regional waters, particularly concerning China's expansive claims over the South China Sea, which have been contested by international law.
West Asia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed on January 14 that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas could be finalised soon, securing the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. As for Gaza’s post-war governance, Secretary Blinken said that the Biden administration would provide the incoming Trump administration with a plan that envisions the Palestinian Authority (PA) running an interim government alongside international partners. Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives passed a bill on January 9 to sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) officials in response to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant accusing them of war crimes in Gaza.
Central Asia
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubayev and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtileu held a meeting to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries on January 11. During the meeting, the ministers discussed various bilateral cooperation topics, including political, trade, economic, investment, water and energy, transit and transportation, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The ministers expressed mutual commitment to strengthening the relationship based on friendship, fraternity, and good neighbourliness. The ministers also expressed their intention to enhance cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Turkic States.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, carried out a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the French Carrier Strike Group led by the FNS Charles de Gaulle. This exercise, part of France’s Mission Clemenceau 25, occurred in the Indian Ocean and featured intricate maritime manoeuvres, including joint air operations and tactical drills involving INS Mormugao and the French naval vessels. Indian Sukhoi and Jaguar fighter jets participated alongside French Rafale Marine jets in anti-aircraft drills, demonstrating impressive interoperability between the two forces. This exercise has effectively laid the groundwork for the forthcoming VARUNA bilateral naval exercise.
