India’s Proximity Archives
Date: February 26, 2025
South Asia
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, warned on February 25th that the nation’s sovereignty is imperilled by persistent internal dissension. He added that the army would continue to maintain law and order until the elected government assumed power. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, leader of the BNP, also warned the Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government against leading the country into further chaos and destruction. On February 24, a mob attacked Cox’s Bazar air base, while clashes between rival student groups persisted in major cities. A surge in robberies, muggings, and pickpocketing has instilled widespread fear nationwide. In Muscat, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, stressed to Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Mr. Touhid Hossain, the critical need for Bangladesh to not legitimize terrorism.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, warned on February 25th that the nation’s sovereignty is imperilled by persistent internal dissension. He added that the army would continue to maintain law and order until the elected government assumed power. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, leader of the BNP, also warned the Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government against leading the country into further chaos and destruction. On February 24, a mob attacked Cox’s Bazar air base, while clashes between rival student groups persisted in major cities. A surge in robberies, muggings, and pickpocketing has instilled widespread fear nationwide. In Muscat, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, stressed to Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Mr. Touhid Hossain, the critical need for Bangladesh to not legitimize terrorism.
Southeast Asia
On February 25, the largest and longest-running multinational military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, ‘Cobra Gold’, began in Thailand, with some 8,200 personnel from 30 countries working together to improve their defences against cybersecurity threats. Thailand and the United States will cohost the annual drill that runs through March 7. Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Malaysia are full participants, while China, India and Australia are involved on a limited basis, contributing exercises such as delivering humanitarian assistance.
East Asia
The trial of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol concluded on February 25, following his final statement before eight judges in the Constitutional Court. The trial is reviewing his impeachment, which was approved by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, leading to his suspension from office after imposing martial law in South Korea. The Constitutional Court will determine whether the declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and whether the president was committed to upholding the Constitution. If the constitutional court rules in favour of impeachment, Yoon will become the second president in South Korean history to be impeached. Yoon is also facing a separate criminal investigation for insurrection over his declaration of martial law in December, punishable with life in prison or even the death penalty.
West Asia
On February 25, Syria's capital Damascus hosted a national dialogue to chart a new path for the country following the fall of the Assad regime. Major issues discussed included preserving the unity and sovereignty of Syria over its entire territory, condemnation of the Israeli incursion into Syrian territory, reform of state institutions, state monopoly on arms, the outlawing of armed formations outside of official institutions, and rejection of discrimination based on race, religion, or sect. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian Interim President, described the dialogue as the beginning of a new historical phase after a decade of civil war; however, the absence of Kurdish leaders raised questions about the country's unity and inclusion. Meanwhile, on February 24, the European Union suspended a range of sanctions against Syria in sectors such as energy, banking, transport, and reconstruction.
Central Asia
Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic aim to explore new opportunities to expand trade, accelerate the launch of the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex on their border, and enhance transit and transport cooperation. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized these priorities during a meeting with Adylbek Kasymaliev, the chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers and head of the Presidential Administration, who arrived on his first official foreign visit to Astana on February 25.
Indian Ocean Region
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy, met with Admiral Datuk (Dr) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, on February 18 in Kuala Lumpur. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting. During their discussion, they expressed satisfaction with the growing engagements between the two navies. They shared experiences in maintaining Scorpene class submarines and explored further avenues of cooperation in maritime security, training, shipbuilding, and participation in international maritime events like the International Fleet Review, MILAN, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), and the Goa Maritime Conclave.
