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Indo-Pacific Monitor
The US announced a two-week ceasefire ending kinetic conflict in its war on Iran on April 8; this was extended indefinitely on April 22. However, US-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11-12 were inconclusive, and the conflict moved into a phase of dual blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. At month end, the ceasefire was continuing, peace talks were stalled, and the Strait of Hormuz remained closed.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung paid a state visit to India from April 19-21, setting out a roadmap for the bilateral relationship for the next five years. Austrian Chancellor Dr. Christian Stocker made an official visit to India from April 14-17.
The UK shelved ratification of its May 2025 treaty to transfer sovereignty over Diego Garcia to Mauritius, following strong opposition from US President Trump.
Australia signed a contract with Japan on April 18 for the purchase of three Mogami-class frigates. The deal, the largest defence export in Japan’s post-war history, will be followed by joint production of eight more frigates in Australia.
Japan’s Cabinet on April 21 announced relaxation of rules for arms exports. All restrictions on export of non-lethal equipment were removed, while lethal equipment can be exported to countries with which Japan has entered into defence equipment and technology transfer agreements.
The UK House of Commons Defence Committee’s comprehensive AUKUS Inquiry Report, published on April 28, found significant shortcomings and failings that could derail the programme unless the government takes remedial action.
Australia published the second of its biennial National Defence Strategies on April 16.
Indonesia and the US agreed to elevate their defence relations to a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership on April 13. The partnership has three foundational pillars: military modernisation and capacity building, training and professional military education, and exercises and operational cooperation.
India and Germany signed a Defence Cooperation Roadmap on April 22, encompassing industrial cooperation and technology transfers, joint exercises and staff-level dialogues, and expedited export clearances for the sale of defence equipment.
India’s third SSBN and fourth Nilgiri-class frigate were commissioned by Shri Rajnath Singh at Visakhapatnam on April 03. Earlier, the fifth Nilgiri-class frigate was delivered to the Indian Navy on March 31.
India continued to build cooperation with Indian Ocean countries through the 9th Indian Ocean Conference held in Mauritius from April 10-12. In parallel, IOS Sagar, with a multinational crew from 16 Indian Ocean countries, visited Male, Phuket, Jakarta and Singapore during the month.
Vietnam’s National Assembly elected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as State President, and former central bank governor Le Minh Hung as Prime Minister for the 2026–2031 term. President To Lam made his first international visit to China from April 14-17, emphasising China’s importance in Vietnam’s strategic calculations.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto visited South Korea on April 1 and upgraded bilateral relations to a special comprehensive strategic partnership. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Japan from March 31-April 2, and South Korea on April 3, elevating relations with South Korea to a Global Strategic Partnership. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Singapore on April 09-11, and Malaysia and Brunei from April 14-17.
These and other developments are covered in this Indo-Pacific Monitor Vol. VII, Issue 4.
