India’s Proximity Archives
Date: May 28, 2025
South Asia
Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited India between May 25 and 27, as head the Maldivian delegation to the second India-Maldives High-Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting on May 26. A review of the progress made in implementing the India-Maldives Vision Document, with a focus on the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership, formed the core of the bilateral discussions. Implementation of the Joint Vision was further deliberated upon, focusing on the intensification of political discourse, defense and security cooperation, development partnerships, and the expansion of trade, economic, health, and people-to-people initiatives. A bilateral meeting also took place between the Foreign Minister, Dr. Khaleel, and the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited India between May 25 and 27, as head the Maldivian delegation to the second India-Maldives High-Level Core Group (HLCG) meeting on May 26. A review of the progress made in implementing the India-Maldives Vision Document, with a focus on the comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership, formed the core of the bilateral discussions. Implementation of the Joint Vision was further deliberated upon, focusing on the intensification of political discourse, defense and security cooperation, development partnerships, and the expansion of trade, economic, health, and people-to-people initiatives. A bilateral meeting also took place between the Foreign Minister, Dr. Khaleel, and the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Southeast Asia
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Jakarta, on May 27, 2025, for a state visit. On the following day, French President Emmanuel Macron met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss issues like boosting defense and trade cooperation. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed that Indonesia and France are set to sign a letter of intent to expand defense cooperation which will include the procurement of French-made Rafale fighter jets and Scorpène evolved submarines. Macron’s visit to Indonesia, running from May 27 to 29, is part of a broader Indo-Pacific diplomatic tour that includes stops in Vietnam and Singapore.
East Asia
On May 26, South Korea’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun met with the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation of India, led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, to discuss the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir and the regional situation. Before the meeting, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul briefly greeted the Indian delegation. The Indian side outlined the details of the attack and the government's response, while Vice Minister Kim expressed deep concern and sympathy for the victims, reaffirming South Korea’s firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to international counterterrorism efforts. He also welcomed the May 10 ceasefire between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued dialogue to promote regional stability.
West Asia
On May 23, the US and Iran concluded the fifth round of their nuclear talks mediated by Oman in Rome. Although the two sides described the talks as constructive, Oman's mediators cautioned that “some but not conclusive progress” had been made in nuclear negotiations. The Iranian government has maintained that it will not suspend its enrichment of Uranium as a condition for securing a nuclear deal with the US. Among the other obstacles to reaching a nuclear deal is Tehran's refusal to ship abroad its highly enriched Uranium stockpile and engage in discussions over its ballistic missiles programme. Amidst this, US intelligence assessment reportedly indicated that Israel was planning to launch an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, with or without American support, if nuclear negotiations collapsed.
Central Asia
On May 27, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Azerbaijan for a trilateral meeting with Turkey and Azerbaijan. The meeting follows these countries’ support for Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor. The trilateral meeting is expected to focus on increased military and defence cooperation. During Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, they reaffirmed their countries' shared commitment to diversifying strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues. The leaders reiterated that both countries had stood by each other on every occasion and would continue to do so.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy carried out a coordinated response to rescue crew from the Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3, which sank off the Kochi coast on May 25, 2025. The emergency began on May 24, when MSC ELSA 3 was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi. The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil. Given potential environmental hazards, the ICG activated full pollution response preparedness, deploying its pollution response ship Saksham and using aircraft with advanced oil spill detection and mapping technology to conduct aerial surveillance and monitor the area. As of the latest reports, no major oil slick has been detected, but authorities remain vigilant.
