India’s Proximity Archives
Date: July 09, 2025
South Asia
Despite human rights concerns, Russia has become the first nation to officially recognised the Taliban regime. Both Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan and Dmitry Zhirnov, the Russian ambassador in Kabul confirmed Russia’s recognition of the Taliban Government. Mr. Kabulov called the Islamic Emirate government in Kabul an “objective partner” in counterterrorism efforts, urging Russia to provide support including weapons to help eliminate the remaining terrorist threats in Afghanistan. Russia will host the seventh round of the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan in September or October 2025; the Taliban’s interim government will have full participant status, as announced by Kabulov. According to the United Nations, the matter of Russia’s recognition of Afghanistan’s interim government is a bilateral concern for Kabul and Moscow.
Despite human rights concerns, Russia has become the first nation to officially recognised the Taliban regime. Both Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan and Dmitry Zhirnov, the Russian ambassador in Kabul confirmed Russia’s recognition of the Taliban Government. Mr. Kabulov called the Islamic Emirate government in Kabul an “objective partner” in counterterrorism efforts, urging Russia to provide support including weapons to help eliminate the remaining terrorist threats in Afghanistan. Russia will host the seventh round of the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan in September or October 2025; the Taliban’s interim government will have full participant status, as announced by Kabulov. According to the United Nations, the matter of Russia’s recognition of Afghanistan’s interim government is a bilateral concern for Kabul and Moscow.
Southeast Asia
On July 6, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was Indonesia’s first summit after becoming a full member of the organisation in January 20025. Prabowo proposed that Indonesia act as a bridge builder between the Global South and the Global North. He emphasised that the strategy is designed to reduce tensions between developing and developed nations, as Indonesia aims to prevent BRICS from becoming an opposing force that further deepens the divide between these two groups of countries.
East Asia
At the session on peace and security and global governance reform of the XVII BRICS Summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang congratulated the Brazilian leadership and welcomed Indonesia as a full member. Emphasising President Xi Jinping’s vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, Mr. Qiang averred China’s call for equality, mutual respect, and unity to address conflicts, promote development, and build a more inclusive global order. Underscoring BRICS’ leadership role in the Global South, he urged the bloc to uphold justice, champion peace, promote economic growth, and foster cultural inclusiveness through intercultural dialogue and other person-to-person exchanges. In this respect, Mr. Qiang also announced new initiatives, including the China-BRICS New Quality Productive Forces Research Centre and the BRICS New Industry Golden Egret Excellence Scholarships, which will help BRICS countries train talents in industry and telecommunication, and further innovation-driven development.
West Asia
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on July 7. This meeting took place in the context of recent airstrikes by the US and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities and the US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to end the conflict in Gaza. Both leaders reiterated their intent to relocate the Palestinians from Gaza, claiming that neighbouring countries had been cooperating on this issue. PM Netanyahu opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, asserting that it would be used to destroy Israel. Earlier, in February 2025, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League had rejected the US’s proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
Central Asia
On July 7, the United States announced that starting August 1, 2025, a 25 percent ‘reciprocal tariff’ will be levied on Kazakhstan. US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the decision that was confirmed with an official letter from President Donald Trump to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In a July 8 statement, the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration stated the majority of Kazakhstan’s exports will continue to be supplied without new tariffs, as they are exempt from the newly introduced duties. This exemption covers key raw materials and strategic goods, including oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys, tantalum, and titanium.
Indian Ocean Region
The Houthis launched back-to-back attacks on two merchant ships in the Red Sea over the past two days, marking the first Houthi attacks on shipping since November 2024. On July 6, 2025, the Houthis targeted the Magic Seas, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, using drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. The vessel was set ablaze, the crew of 22 was forced to abandon ship, and the ship ultimately sank. The following day, the Houthis attacked another ship—the Eternity C, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo vessel—using speedboats armed with rocket-propelled grenades and bomb-carrying drones. This assault killed at least three crew members and injured two others, leaving the ship adrift and severely damaged.
