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Indo-Pacific Monitor
The US-Iran confrontation in the Gulf remained stalemated, with the indefinite ceasefire announced on April 21 still in place. Iran launched the Persian Gulf Strait Authority on May 18, putting in place a system for charging tolls from authorised users of the Hormuz Strait. The US continued blockading Iran’s ports. Reports from the US indicated that an interim deal and extension of the ceasefire by 60 days was imminent, while those from Iran insisted that frozen funds be released before any deal and nuclear issues had not been discussed.
US President Donald Trump visited China from May 13-15, claiming some trade and market access deals, but with little to show on pressing global and Indo-Pacific issues. The change in the US approach towards China from confrontation to conciliation and accommodation was evident.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing for the 25th time on May 19-20, focusing on strategic coordination, energy, security architecture and geopolitical alignment, and further strengthening the China-Russia strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international engagements during the month included hosting of incoming visits by the leaders of Vietnam from May 05-07 and Cyprus from May 20-23, as well as a five-nation tour to the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy from May 15-20. India upgraded its strategic partnerships with these countries. Norway and the Netherlands agreed to join India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his maiden visit to India from May 23-26, seeking to stabilise the bilateral relationship and participating in the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The visit provided a reaffirmation of changed US foreign policy considerations that will shape India’s bilateral relationship with the US in the coming years.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Vietnam and Australia from May 01-05 and South Korea on May 19, while hosting Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos from May 26-29, to strengthen bilateral relations with these countries in pursuit of her new FOIP strategy. Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Indonesia and the Philippines from May 03-06 to strengthen bilateral defence relations, while Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi delivered a policy speech on shaping Japan-Africa relations through the FOIP strategy in Kenya on May 03.
India’s Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh undertook visits to Vietnam and South Korea from May 18-21 to strengthen the defence component of India’s Act East Policy, deepen strategic military cooperation, boost defence industrial partnerships and enhance maritime collaboration to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a blunt address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30, highlighting US concern regarding China’s military buildup and the intent to build a strong denial defence in the Pacific. He demanded that allies share the burden by spending at least 3.5% of their GDP on defence. Drawing attention to India’s actions to carry its share of the burden in the Indian Ocean, he highlighted advancements in India-US defence cooperation.
South Korea announced its plan to build nuclear attack submarines indigenously on May 26, with the first submarine projected to enter service in the late 2030s.
China intensified pressure on Japan over Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan by cutting rare earth exports to the country.
Italy’s parliament approved the donation of the retired aircraft carrier Guiseppe Garibaldi to Indonesia, to become effective by the end of this year, while pursuing the sale of submarines and aircraft worth €1.5 billion to that country.
IOS Sagar returned to Kochi on May 20 on completion of its deployment to Southeast and South Asia with personnel from 16 IOR nations embarked.
To read this issue please click Indo-Pacific Monitor Vol. VII, Issue 5.
