Indo Pacific Monitor
The US confrontation with Iran entered its ninth month, with continuing disruption of energy and trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Yemen’s Houthis repeatedly struck airport and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, and renewed fighting between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front added to regional instability. As the month ended, the US reportedly reached out to Iran with a peace proposal, while simultaneously warning Gulf countries of resumption of kinetic conflict after the mid-term elections.
Maldives President Muizzu visited Pakistan from October 20-22, signing MoUs on defence and maritime security, among others. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Tokyo from October 26-29, promoting the bilateral strategic partnership and its flagship initiative of the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B).
Defence Ministers from ASEAN and dialogue partners convened at Cebu in the Philippines on October 28-29 for the ADMM and ADMM Plus meetings. They reaffirmed commitments to security and stability in the South China Sea, freedom of navigation and strict adherence to international law, including UNCLOS. The ADMM Plus meeting agreed to expand collaborative defence frameworks to counter supply chain shocks. India reiterated its commitment to collective regional security and the eradication of terrorism in all its forms.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Mumbai and Jamnagar from October 20-22. He laid stress on the imports of Venezuelan crude by Indian refiners.
Quad Foreign Ministers met in Atlanta for the third time this year, on October 31, discussing practical cooperation on regional security, maritime security and economic resilience in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
China opened its third overseas base at Ban Keun, Laos, adding to its South China Sea island bases in the Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, and another being constructed at Antelope Reef.
The Indian Navy continued its maritime outreach across Western Europe, East Asia and Africa, participating in Exercises Varuna and Konkan in Toulon and Plymouth, Indra in Vladivostok and Ibsamar in Simon’s Town. India handed over command of CTF 154, the training element of CMF Bahrain.
Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia concluded a MoU on cooperation in defence manufacturing and training on October 21.
AUKUS Defence Ministers announced on October 26 that USS Colorado would be the first nuclear attack submarine to be assigned to SRF-West beginning late 2027. The submarine commenced a scheduled maintenance period at HMAS Stirling in Australia on October 27.
To read this issue please click Indo-Pacific Monitor Vol. VII, Issue 10.
