Maldives
On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had a telephonic conversation to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and review the cooperation between both sides in infrastructure development.
To begin with, President Solih expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for his assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the duo conducted a review of the progress made by India-assisted development and infrastructure projects in the Maldives. Moreover, Modi lauded the Maldives as a “central pillar in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its maritime vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).”
Since President Solih replaced Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives has realigned its policies to develop closer ties with India compared to Yameen’s pro-China approach. Due to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, India has been working with the Maldives to boost infrastructure and connectivity. In June 2020, India announced a cargo ferry service, which was seen as an opportunity for the nation to emerge as the Maldives’ largest trade partner.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Contact Group on Afghanistan in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he presented a three-point road map to end the ongoing violence in Afghanistan.
While presenting the details of the plan, Jaishankar said internal and external stakeholders in Afghanistan wished to achieve the “same end state” that the three points would drive. First, he said Afghanistan must become “an independent, neutral, unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation.” Second, he called for “ceasing violence and terrorist attacks against civilian and state representatives” while continuing efforts to “settle the conflict through political dialogue.” Speaking about the importance of the ongoing peace negotiations in Doha, he said, “Peace negotiations in earnest is the only answer.” Lastly, he said that to achieve the “end state,” it would be necessary to “ensure that neighbours are not threatened by terrorism, separatism, and extremism.”
In addition, during the two-day visit, he also met the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wangi Yi to discuss the current situation along their shared border at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. According to a press release by the Indian side, Jaishankar highlighted that the duo “agreed that a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side” and was negatively impacting their relations.
Jaishankar also convened a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar. The duo discussed the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and agreed to cooperate to bring in a political solution to the crisis. Since the US announced in April that it would withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by September 11, the security situation in the country has been deteriorating even as the Taliban and the Afghan government continue peace negotiations in Doha. The Taliban has seized control over several critical districts in the country, including the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing with Pakistan.
Vietnam
On Saturday, PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs released a statement saying that PM Modi celebrated Pham Minh Chinh’s appointment as the country’s premier. The duo agreed that the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership would flourish during his tenure. More importantly, the two spoke of their shared vision of an “open, inclusive, peaceful, and rules-based Indian Ocean Region.” They vowed to use the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and their position as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to achieve this aim.
Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, defence cooperation has been a strong pillar of the rapidly expanding bilateral relationship, and India has been an enthusiastic supporter of Vietnam’s naval modernisation. The two have specifically developed cooperation in the maritime domain.
In April, the two sides virtually participated in a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen their maritime security cooperation to adapt to the evolving regional environment. Moreover, last December, India and Vietnam concluded a two-day passage exercise (PASSEX) in the disputed South China Sea to enhance maritime security cooperation. Discussions on naval cooperation between Vietnam and India come at a time when China has been ramping up activity in the South China Sea, especially in the wake of the passage of its controversial China Coast Guard (CCG) Law.
Read More: India and Vietnam Pledge to Collaborate on Maritime and Regional Security Issues
Georgia
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Georgia on July 9-10, where he met the country’s Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani. A press release by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that the visit is the first by an Indian Foreign Minister to Georgia since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Before Jaishankar, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the erstwhile Foreign Minister, visited the country in 1978.
During his visit, Jaishankar presented the Holy Relic of Saint Queen Ketevan of Georgia, found in Goa in 2016, to the Georgian government, which the ruling Georgian Dream Democracy Party celebrated as an “unprecedented gesture” and one that will be “remembered and appreciated.” According to ministry sources, the relics were given after “persistent requests” from Georgian authorities.
Queen Ketevan is particularly significant to Georgians, who celebrate her as a martyr for refusing to convert her religion, leading to her death. Since the relics were found, Georgia has been urging India to return them. Consequently, in 2017, India sent the relics for a six-month-long exhibition. The loan was extended for another six months, during which the relics were moved to different churches across the country. Eventually, the relics were returned to India in September 2018.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Tbilisi. He also met Indians residing in the country, as well as other political and social leaders. During the discussions, Jaishankar indicated that India seeks to bolster investment in Georgia.
Jaishankar’s trip to Georgia came after a three-day visit to Moscow. In light of the sour relations between Russia and Georgia, experts believe that this could be a tit-for-tat move in response to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Pakistan.