India's Proximity Archives
South Asia
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Afghan Taliban, is visiting India from October 9-16. Minister Muttaqi held meetings with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. During his opening address at bilateral discussions, Dr. Jaishankar announced the elevation of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of an Embassy of India. Minister Muttaqi sought Indian investment in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, mining, energy, and transport. The Joint Statement issued by both sides highlighted mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, Minister Muttaqi repeated the commitment of the Afghan government to prevent any group or individual from utilising Afghan territory against India. India has committed to ongoing cooperation and the completion of unfinished projects in sectors such as healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid.
Southeast Asia
On October 14, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto said progress has been made toward lasting peace in Gaza though the process remains “complicated”. He was one of over 20 world leaders - and the only one from Southeast Asia - who attended the summit at Sharm el-Sheikh for talks on later phases of the Gaza peace plan. Speaking to reporters at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta, Prabowo said discussions among participating nations would now focus on the next steps of the peace process. Prabowo further described Indonesia’s participation in the summit as a reflection of its longstanding commitment to peace and Palestinian statehood.
East Asia
On October 10, Taiwanese President William Lai announced that the country will build a dome-like air defence system, referred to as the Taiwan or T Dome, to protect its citizens from hostile threats. He noted this initiative to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities is a clear necessity, considering China’s continued incursions into Taiwanese waters and airspace and the current US administration’s stance of Taiwan taking greater responsibility for its own defence. Mr Lai also called on China to "demonstrate the responsibility befitting a major power" and refrain from using force or coercion in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s opposition leader Guo Jiakun, however, has criticised Lai’s remarks as a distortion of facts and an attempt to mislead public opinion. The pro-China leader reiterated that Taiwan is “an inseparable part of China’s territory” and accused Lai of indulging in unnecessary “warmongering”.
West Asia
On October 13, the US and Egypt co-hosted the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit on Gaza, attended by President Donald Trump and several world leaders. The “Trump Declaration for enduring peace and prosperity”, signed by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, ended two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas, in which reportedly 68,000 Palestinians were killed. President Trump also addressed the Israeli Knesset, lauding the dawn of a "New Middle East" marking the end of terror, death, and destruction, and “the beginning of a new age of hope, faith, and God”. He reaffirmed that both Israelis and Palestinians should prosper with their fundamental human rights protected, security guaranteed, and dignity upheld. Hamas released 20 remaining Israeli hostages and handed over the remains of four dead hostages. On its part, Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1700 detainees from Gaza.
Central Asia
Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia, undertook a state visit to India from October 13 to 16, 2025, marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation across multiple areas including defence and security, culture, energy, immigration, geology, mineral resources, humanitarian aid, and digital solutions. The visit concluded into signing of ten MoUs covering areas such as Humanitarian aid, restoration of heritage sites in Mongolia, cooperation in immigration, geology and mineral resources, promotion of Cooperatives, and sharing of digital solutions. India decided to fund a major oil refinery project in Mongolia with a US$ 1.7 billion line of credit, which is India’s largest development partnership project globally. On defence and security cooperation, India announced it will provide training to Mongolian armed forces, launch a new capacity-building program for Mongolia’s border security forces, and offer free e-visas to Mongolian citizens. Both countries committed to closer ties as strategic partners, “spiritual neighbours”, and “third neighbours”, aiming for peace, prosperity, and regional stability in the coming decade.
Indian Ocean Region
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent official visit to Australia—his first, and the first by any Indian defence minister in 13 years—marked a significant leap in the Australia–India strategic partnership. During the visit, Rajnath Singh held a wide-ranging bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Mr Richard Marles. The talks culminated in the signing of three key agreements: an Agreement on Information Sharing, an MoU on Submarine Search and Rescue Cooperation and Terms of Reference on the establishment of Joint Staff Talks. Both sides are now increasingly looking to one another to enhance defence capabilities. The first Australia–India defence industry roundtable and launch of an annual defence ministers’ dialogue was also convened during this visit. Australia and India expressed strong support for initiatives that advance closer maritime surveillance cooperation among the QUAD partners and welcomed the opportunity to observe the India–United States air exercise Cope India in 2025 for the first time, alongside Japan. Rajnath Singh invited Deputy Prime Minister Marles to visit India for the Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in 2026.
