India’s Proximity Archives
Date: February 05, 2025
South Asia
The Indian government’s Union Budget, presented on February 1st, allocated %u20B96886 crore in grants and loans to foreign entities for fiscal year 2025-26; this represents a 37% decrease from the %u20B911,035 crore allocated in the current fiscal year. The upcoming fiscal year’s budget includes increased financial aid for several South Asian countries, namely Afghanistan (%u20B9100 crore), the Maldives (%u20B9600 crore), and Bhutan (%u20B91775 crore). The allocations for Bangladesh (%u20B9120 crore), Nepal (%u20B9700 crore), and Sri Lanka (%u20B9300 crore) remain consistent with the previous year. India is also projected to maintain its %u20B9100 crore contribution to the Chabahar Port in Iran.
The Indian government’s Union Budget, presented on February 1st, allocated %u20B96886 crore in grants and loans to foreign entities for fiscal year 2025-26; this represents a 37% decrease from the %u20B911,035 crore allocated in the current fiscal year. The upcoming fiscal year’s budget includes increased financial aid for several South Asian countries, namely Afghanistan (%u20B9100 crore), the Maldives (%u20B9600 crore), and Bhutan (%u20B91775 crore). The allocations for Bangladesh (%u20B9120 crore), Nepal (%u20B9700 crore), and Sri Lanka (%u20B9300 crore) remain consistent with the previous year. India is also projected to maintain its %u20B9100 crore contribution to the Chabahar Port in Iran.
Southeast Asia
On January 31, Myanmar’s ruling military extended a state of emergency for another six months, just one day before the fourth anniversary of the coup. The junta intends to hold an election this year, which critics have dismissed as a sham designed to maintain the general's power through proxies. In a statement on its Telegram channel, the state-run broadcaster Myanmar Digital News said there were “still more tasks to be done to hold the general election successfully,” citing the need for “stability and peace.” This marks the seventh extension announced by the junta, which has struggled to suppress a nationwide uprising against its deeply repressive rule. As of now, no date has been set for the election.
On January 31, Myanmar’s ruling military extended a state of emergency for another six months, just one day before the fourth anniversary of the coup. The junta intends to hold an election this year, which critics have dismissed as a sham designed to maintain the general's power through proxies. In a statement on its Telegram channel, the state-run broadcaster Myanmar Digital News said there were “still more tasks to be done to hold the general election successfully,” citing the need for “stability and peace.” This marks the seventh extension announced by the junta, which has struggled to suppress a nationwide uprising against its deeply repressive rule. As of now, no date has been set for the election.
East Asia
The Second Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue took place on February 3, 2025, in Tokyo. This meeting was co-chaired by Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The ministers signed a memorandum to establish a Strategic Partnership Council, aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including economy, energy, and security. They discussed the ongoing instability in the Middle East, emphasising their commitment to work together for peace and stability in the region. They also discussed ongoing cooperation in clean energy initiatives, particularly under the “Lighthouse Initiative” launched in July 2023.
The Second Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue took place on February 3, 2025, in Tokyo. This meeting was co-chaired by Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The ministers signed a memorandum to establish a Strategic Partnership Council, aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including economy, energy, and security. They discussed the ongoing instability in the Middle East, emphasising their commitment to work together for peace and stability in the region. They also discussed ongoing cooperation in clean energy initiatives, particularly under the “Lighthouse Initiative” launched in July 2023.
West Asia
US President Donald Trump announced during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 4, that “the US will take long-term ownership of the Gaza Strip”, undertake the dismantling of unexploded bombs and other weaponry, and foster economic development. President Trump said he spoke with several leaders about this proposal, which would bring stability and economic prosperity to the Middle East. He reiterated the US's commitment to work with Israel to dismantle Hamas and restore peace in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu commended Trump's willingness to "puncture conventional thinking" and pursue fresh ideas for achieving strategic objectives in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump announced during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 4, that “the US will take long-term ownership of the Gaza Strip”, undertake the dismantling of unexploded bombs and other weaponry, and foster economic development. President Trump said he spoke with several leaders about this proposal, which would bring stability and economic prosperity to the Middle East. He reiterated the US's commitment to work with Israel to dismantle Hamas and restore peace in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu commended Trump's willingness to "puncture conventional thinking" and pursue fresh ideas for achieving strategic objectives in the Middle East.
Central Asia
India’s Ministry of External Affairs Secretary West, Tanmaya Lal met the newly appointed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev on February 4. In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, “Discussions focused on various avenues of cooperation in SCO” and “the visit underscores our commitment to enhancing regional cooperation, security, and trade & economic development,”. During his visit, Yermekbayev will also meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Minster of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh at Hyderabad House, as per an official statement.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs Secretary West, Tanmaya Lal met the newly appointed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev on February 4. In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, “Discussions focused on various avenues of cooperation in SCO” and “the visit underscores our commitment to enhancing regional cooperation, security, and trade & economic development,”. During his visit, Yermekbayev will also meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Minster of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh at Hyderabad House, as per an official statement.
Indian Ocean Region
The 13th Indian Navy-Royal Thai Navy Staff Talks were held in Bangkok, Thailand, co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI), and Rear Admiral Chaksawat Saiwong, Director of the Office of Policy and Planning, Naval Operation Department of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). The discussions centred on several key areas, including the future trajectory of technological collaboration, enhanced training programs, interoperability between the two navies, and bilateral as well as multilateral engagements aimed at collaborative pursuits in maritime security. During the visit, RAdm Nirbhay Bapna also had the opportunity to interact with Vice Admiral Tadavut Thatphitak-Kul, Deputy Chief of Staff of the RTN.
The 13th Indian Navy-Royal Thai Navy Staff Talks were held in Bangkok, Thailand, co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI), and Rear Admiral Chaksawat Saiwong, Director of the Office of Policy and Planning, Naval Operation Department of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). The discussions centred on several key areas, including the future trajectory of technological collaboration, enhanced training programs, interoperability between the two navies, and bilateral as well as multilateral engagements aimed at collaborative pursuits in maritime security. During the visit, RAdm Nirbhay Bapna also had the opportunity to interact with Vice Admiral Tadavut Thatphitak-Kul, Deputy Chief of Staff of the RTN.
