DPG Indo-Pacific Monitor
Indo-Pacific Monitor
Authors Commodore Lalit Kapur (Retd.)
Date: May 31, 2025
General elections in Australia and Singapore on May 03 resulted in incumbent Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese (Australia) and Lawrence Wong (Singapore) returning to power with improved majorities in parliament.
Operation Sindoor conducted by India from May 07-10 saw India’s military response to Pakistan-based and sponsored terrorist groups crossing previous thresholds in geographic reach, platforms employed and their impact. Prime Minister Narendra Modi enunciated a new doctrine for dealing with terrorattacks on May 12.
China’s President Xi Jinping visited Russia 07-10 May to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of victory over Germany in World War II, and the two powers concluded a Joint Statement on further deepening of the Russia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
US President Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE from May 13-16, the first official international visits of his second term. The four-day tour resulted in announcements of business deals and commitments worth over $ 3.2 trillion. The US-UAE major defence partnership was established on May 16.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made Indonesia the first international destination of his second term, visiting the country for the Australia-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting May 15.
Mauritius and the UK signed an agreement on May 22 regarding the return of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, including Diego Garcia. The agreement was hailed by the US, India and Japan, among others. It will enter into force following ratification by parliaments of both countries.
The 2025 edition of the annual IISS Shangri La Dialogue got underway at Singapore on May 30. The keynote address was delivered by France’s President Emmanuel Macron. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an address on the United States’ New Ambitions for Indo-Pacific Security on May 31, warning of the China threat, asserting the US commitment to the Indo-Pacific and appealing to the regional community to boost defence capability in the face of serious security challenges.
The 24th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association was held virtually on May 21 and anIORA Colombo Communique was released. The ministers welcomed Ambassador Sanjiv Ranjan as the new Secretary-General of IORA.
Two Chinese frigates and a Coast Guard cutter harassed Philippine Navy Ship BRP Emilio Jacinto near the Scarborough Shoal on May 08, further exacerbating tensions in the region. This was a rare occasion whenthe Philippines used a naval warship for operations in the area. China claimed to have expelled it from the area.
INS Sunayna (IOS Sagar) completed her voyage to the Southwest Indian Ocean with 44 trainees from Indian Ocean nations embarked and returned to Kochi May 08.
INSV Tarini completed circumnavigation of the world by two lady officers of the Indian Navy as part of Navika Sagar Parikrama II. The ship and its crew returnedto Goa on May 29.
These and other developments are covered in this Indo-Pacific Monitor Vol. VI, Issue 5. To read about them, please see the PDF attached.
Operation Sindoor conducted by India from May 07-10 saw India’s military response to Pakistan-based and sponsored terrorist groups crossing previous thresholds in geographic reach, platforms employed and their impact. Prime Minister Narendra Modi enunciated a new doctrine for dealing with terrorattacks on May 12.
China’s President Xi Jinping visited Russia 07-10 May to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of victory over Germany in World War II, and the two powers concluded a Joint Statement on further deepening of the Russia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
US President Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE from May 13-16, the first official international visits of his second term. The four-day tour resulted in announcements of business deals and commitments worth over $ 3.2 trillion. The US-UAE major defence partnership was established on May 16.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made Indonesia the first international destination of his second term, visiting the country for the Australia-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting May 15.
Mauritius and the UK signed an agreement on May 22 regarding the return of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, including Diego Garcia. The agreement was hailed by the US, India and Japan, among others. It will enter into force following ratification by parliaments of both countries.
The 2025 edition of the annual IISS Shangri La Dialogue got underway at Singapore on May 30. The keynote address was delivered by France’s President Emmanuel Macron. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an address on the United States’ New Ambitions for Indo-Pacific Security on May 31, warning of the China threat, asserting the US commitment to the Indo-Pacific and appealing to the regional community to boost defence capability in the face of serious security challenges.
The 24th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association was held virtually on May 21 and anIORA Colombo Communique was released. The ministers welcomed Ambassador Sanjiv Ranjan as the new Secretary-General of IORA.
Two Chinese frigates and a Coast Guard cutter harassed Philippine Navy Ship BRP Emilio Jacinto near the Scarborough Shoal on May 08, further exacerbating tensions in the region. This was a rare occasion whenthe Philippines used a naval warship for operations in the area. China claimed to have expelled it from the area.
INS Sunayna (IOS Sagar) completed her voyage to the Southwest Indian Ocean with 44 trainees from Indian Ocean nations embarked and returned to Kochi May 08.
INSV Tarini completed circumnavigation of the world by two lady officers of the Indian Navy as part of Navika Sagar Parikrama II. The ship and its crew returnedto Goa on May 29.
These and other developments are covered in this Indo-Pacific Monitor Vol. VI, Issue 5. To read about them, please see the PDF attached.
