India’s Proximity Archives

South Asia
The tense situation between India and Pakistan in the wake of the April 22, terrorist attack in Pahalgam continues. India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which held a meeting on April 23 in response to the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack from Pakistan, announced a decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance, close all borders and stop trade with Pakistan, terminated the visas of Pakistani citizens visiting India and reduced overall strength of the High Commissions.  Pakistan mirrored these measures , suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement in response. On April 24, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting of the National Security Committee, issuing a warning that any interference with water flow would constitute an act of war. Both countries closed airspace for each other’s airlines.  Pakistani forces meanwhile violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Southeast Asia
On April 28, Japan and Vietnam agreed to deepen economic cooperation including on semiconductors and clean energy. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed four agreements, including on research and development in microchips and on bilateral cooperation in energy transition. The pledges came as Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru wound up a two-day state visit to Vietnam commencing April 27, part of a regional tour that also includes a stop in the Philippines. During his time in Hanoi, Ishiba met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other top officials, including To Lam, the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President Luong Cuong, and Tran Thanh Man, the president of the National Assembly. The leaders also discussed security cooperation where they exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China seas, where China has become more forceful in asserting its claims. They agreed to establish a communications framework (2 2) between their foreign and defence ministries at the vice-ministerial level.

East Asia
On April 27, 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who provided an update on the tensions between Pakistan and India over the terror attacks in Kashmir. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to combating terrorism and managing the situation responsibly while maintaining communication with China and the international community. Wang Yi expressed China’s close attention to the developments and reiterated that combating terrorism is a shared global responsibility. He assured Pakistan of China’s full support in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and called for an impartial investigation. Wang Yi emphasised the importance of de-escalation, urging both Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and work towards regional peace and stability.

West Asia
The countries in West Asia, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, and Israel condemned the terrorist attack in India’s Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (Pahalgam) that killed 26 tourists on April 22. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, in a phone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, highlighted “cross-border [Pakistani] linkages” to the Pahalgam terror attack.  Further, in a conversation with the UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, EAM Dr. Jaishankar discussed the need to counter terrorism effectively in all its forms and manifestations.

Central Asia
On April 25, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Almaty. The two sides exchanged  views on multilateral cooperation and agreed to jointly support the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the China-Central Asia mechanism in playing a greater role. The two sides also vowed to strengthen border control and counter-terrorism cooperation to safeguard regional security and stability. The two sides also exchanged views on current tariff issues. Wang Yi stressed that China responds with resolute countermeasures to unilateral bullying by the United States, not only to defend its own legitimate rights and interests, but also to safeguard the shared interests of the international community. China is ready to work with all parties to jointly uphold free trade, oppose protectionism, and defend international fairness and justice.

Indian Ocean Region
IOS SAGAR (INS Sunayna) arrived at Port Louis Harbour, Mauritius on April 26, 2025 after completing Phase I of Joint EEZ surveillance with the National Coast Guard (NCG) Mauritius as part of its deployment to the South Western Indian Ocean.  The ship, which sailed from Karwar on April 5, 2025, has 44 naval personnel from nine friendly nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including two officers and six sailors from Mauritius. The ship and crew were warmly received by dignitaries including Mr Sooroojebally R, PMSM, and representatives from the Mauritius government, police, Indian High Commission, and NCG Mauritius, followed by a tour and interactions with the multinational crew. On April 29, the ship departed from Port Louis, to commence Phase II of Joint EEZ surveillance with NCG Mauritius before proceeding to Port Victoria, Seychelles.