India’s Proximity Archives
South Asia
On January 31 and February 1, freedom fighters from the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA)conducted coordinated attacks across Baluchistan. Provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported that these attacks resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and 17 security service personnel. In retaliation, security forces declared they had neutralised at least 145 attackers. The Baluchistan administration has enacted a month-long imposition of Section 144, forbidding public gatherings, processions, and sit-ins of five or more individuals province-wide. Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has accused India of responsibility for the Baluchistan attacks. In response India’s Ministry of External Affairs categorically rejected the allegation and said that it is “nothing but its (Pakistan’s) usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings.”
Southeast Asia
Following the completion of the third phase of elections on January 28, Myanmar’s State Media announced that the military-backed Union and Solidarity Party (USDP) dominated all phases of the vote, winning an overwhelming majority in the two legislative chambers in the nation. It secured 232 of the 263 seats up for grabs in the lower house (Pyithu Hluttaw) and 109 of the 157 seats upper chamber (Amyotha Hluttaw). A spokesman for the country’s military rulers, Zaw Min Tun, said Myanmar’s parliament is now expected to convene to elect a president in March, with a new government set to take over in April. While ASEAN and some Western countries have expressed concern about the credibility of the election, Myanmar’s military rulers insist the polls were free and fair, and supported by the public.
East Asia
On January 29, Chinese President Xi Jinping met the visiting UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, in Beijing. The two leaders concurred on developing a ‘long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership’ between their countries. President Xi noted that China and the UK, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies, should strengthen dialogue and cooperation to safeguard world peace and stability, as well as promote mutual prosperity. To this end, Xi emphasised that mutual trust is essential and called for the UK to ‘foster a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies’. President Xi also underlined enhancing people-to-people exchanges and two-way travel, alongside support for multilateralism, just and equitable global governance, and inclusive economic globalisation. The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by a delegation of business and cultural organisations, reiterated the UK’s commitment to deepening and expanding bilateral ties through high-level engagement and dialogue, aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, finance, the environment, and other areas.
West Asia
On February 3, amidst the military buildup by the U.S. in the Gulf, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that his country would be open to pursuing nuclear dialogue with Washington. He called upon the U.S. to seek fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency. To discuss a possible nuclear deal, U.S. President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet on February 6 in Istanbul, along with representatives of several Arab and Muslim countries. However, reports indicated that Iran remains sceptical of holding talks in Turkey and has requested that the dialogue take place in Oman.
Central Asia
Following the latest deadly incident along the Tajik-Afghan border, the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) announced on January 30 that it will supply Tajik border troops with advanced weaponry. CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov emphasised that the delivery of these arms is a priority task for the organisation, although specific timelines have not yet been disclosed. It has been reported that first CSTO officials are “clarifying and coordinating with the member states the lists of weapons, military equipment and technical means of border protection that will be supplied”. Tajikistan, which shares Central Asia’s longest border with Afghanistan, has faced a steadily deteriorating security situation along this frontier since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Notably, Tajikistan has been the most vocal Central Asian critic of the Taliban’s takeover, further heightening tensions along the border.
Indian Ocean Region
A U.S. Navy F-35C fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone in the Arabian Sea on February 2, 2026, approximately 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast. According to U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins, “the unmanned aircraft aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which was transiting the Arabian Sea about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast”. He further added, “the Iranian drone continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international waters,” Hawkins said. An F-35C fighter jet from the Lincoln shot down the drone to protect the carrier and its personnel”. Iran reported losing contact with the drone during a surveillance mission but has not officially commented further.
