Indo-Pacific Monitor
Continental Asia’s leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, met at Bishkek from August 31-September 01 for the 26th SCO Summit and adopted a Declaration advancing their vision for global and regional governance, security matters, connectivity and trade, and enhanced people-to-people cooperation.
India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at New Delhi from September 12-13, seeking to build resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. BRICS nations adopted the New Delhi Declaration, signalling a collective vision despite differences between some member states.
The high-level debate at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly from September 22-26 witnessed US President Donald Trump showcasing his achievements, rejecting global governance initiatives and issuing an ultimatum to Iran to negotiate a deal or face annihilation. French President Emmanuel Macron supported a revived multilateral order over a resurgent law of the jungle and the resolution of ongoing conflicts. China’s Vice-President Han Zheng emphasized multilateralism and global development, while urging safeguarding of the post WW II order through dialogue rather than unilateral action. Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi called for urgent UNSC reform and the removal of the “enemy states” clause against Japan in the UN Charter. India’s EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar urged global peace and resolution of ongoing international conflicts, reformed multilateralism, and zero-tolerance for cross-border terrorism.
US President Donald Trump hosted China’s President Xi Jinping in Washington DC from September 23-25 for their second summit of the year. The event was marked for pomp and pageantry, but had relatively little to show by way of substance. It continued the fragile truce between the two super powers, providing time for both to build up their capabilities and refine their strategy.
PM Sanae Takaichi reshuffled her cabinet on September 17, largely retaining her previous team. Japan’s Defense Ministry sought a budget of ¥8.9 trillion (about $55.6 billion). Japan acquired Tomahawk missile capability following the return of JS Chokai from a refit in San Diego; however, actual delivery of missiles by the US is now expected only by 2030.
Quad Sherpas met at New Delhi on September 03 to take forward decisions at the last Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Quad partners carried out a tabletop exercise in Tokyo from September 03-04 to advance the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network. CGS Shaunak sailed from Chennai for Perth on September 25, with sea riders embarked for the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.
Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, the maiden JASDF deployment of fighter aircraft to the Indian Ocean, took place at Jodhpur from September 09-22. The US Armed Forces participated in the 22nd Exercise Yudh Abhyas at Auli and Mahajan from September 15-27, as well as Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur commencing September 26. Indian Special Forces personnel participated in Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2026 at multiple locations in Indonesia from August 31 – September 11. IN warships participated in the 4th Exercise Samudra Laksmana in Malaysia, the 13th Exercise SLINEX off Visakhapatnam from September 17-21, an ADMM Plus Maritime Security Joint Cooperation Activity at Subic Bay from September 23-25, and the 24th Exercise Varuna in France commencing September 22.
INS Kolkata and PNS Hunain collided in international waters in the Northern Arabian Sea on September 15. The former continued her mission, while the latter war forced to return to harbour for repairs. PNS Hangor, the first of the Chinese-built submarines acquired by the PN, carried out the maiden test firing of its SLCM on September 27.
To read this issue pleach click Indo-Pacific Monitor Vol. VII, Issue 9.
