India’s Proximity Archives
Date: May 07, 2025
Southeast Asia
On May 3, Singapore’s People’s Action Party won its 14th successive election to extend its unbroken six-decade rule, delivering a strong mandate to its new premier as the city-state braces for economic turbulence from a global trade war. The PAP, which has ruled since before Singapore’s 1965 independence, won 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats up for grabs, with victories by huge margins in many of the 33 constituencies as the opposition failed to extend gains in previous contests. The PAP had yet to be formally declared winner but took 65.57% of the vote, according to local media, surpassing the 61.2% achieved in the 2020 contest. The outcome will be seen as a ringing public endorsement of US-educated Wong, 52, who became Singapore’s fourth prime minister last year, promising continuity as well as new blood and a new style of leadership.
On May 3, Singapore’s People’s Action Party won its 14th successive election to extend its unbroken six-decade rule, delivering a strong mandate to its new premier as the city-state braces for economic turbulence from a global trade war. The PAP, which has ruled since before Singapore’s 1965 independence, won 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats up for grabs, with victories by huge margins in many of the 33 constituencies as the opposition failed to extend gains in previous contests. The PAP had yet to be formally declared winner but took 65.57% of the vote, according to local media, surpassing the 61.2% achieved in the 2020 contest. The outcome will be seen as a ringing public endorsement of US-educated Wong, 52, who became Singapore’s fourth prime minister last year, promising continuity as well as new blood and a new style of leadership.
East Asia
On April 30, 2025, the 15th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security was held in Brasília, chaired by Brazil's Chief Presidential Advisor Celso Amorim. Wang Yi, representing China, emphasised the accelerating global changes and called for BRICS unity in upholding peace, development, and the rights of developing nations. He highlighted BRICS’ growing influence and stressed the need to counter unilateralism, power politics, and protectionism. Wang outlined three priorities: defending the right to development, promoting unity and cooperation, and safeguarding multilateralism through institutions like the UN and WTO. All participants affirmed the need for BRICS to oppose interventionism, defend international law, and collectively work toward a multipolar, just, and secure world order.
West Asia
Israel conducted airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and Sana'a International Airport on May 5-6 in response to a ballistic missile attack by the Houthis on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Following this, on May 7, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced that Oman’s diplomatic efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the US and Ansar Allah (Houthis). It is expected that the Houthis will not target American vessels in the Red Sea or Bab al-Mandab Strait, thus ensuring freedom of navigation and smooth flow of international trade. However, the statement from Oman did not specifically mention whether the Houthis had agreed to stop attacks on Israel.
Central Asia
On May 6, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm adopted a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership during Lâm’s state visit to Kazakhstan. Vietnam confirmed its readiness to serve as a bridge and support Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states. The leaders also agreed to deepen political dialogue and diplomatic relations, expand cooperation in defence, trade, investment, and finance, and pursue joint initiatives in agriculture, energy, tourism, education, labour, and environmental protection. At the expanded-format negotiations, Tokayev expressed his support for Vietnam’s strategic goal of becoming one of the world’s top 25 economies by 2040, affirming Kazakhstan’s readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to help realize this ambition
Indian Ocean Region
INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise from May 4 to 10, 2025. The inaugural edition of the India-Maldives HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability and coordination between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The exercise focuses on disaster response coordination, search and rescue operations, medical assistance, logistical support, joint drills, training sessions, and community engagement. This aligns closely with India’s “MAHASAGAR” (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.
