ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 17, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 17, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Ukrainian President Zelensky Presents "Victory Plan"
• India and Canada Expel Diplomats in Blow to Relations
• Vietnam and China Sign Cooperation Deals

Ukrainian President Zelensky Presents "Victory Plan"

On October 16, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented his "victory plan" to the Verkhovna Rada. The plan outlines certain provisions and classified appendices for Ukraine to achieve victory against Russia. They include a NATO invitation—Zelensky said Western countries should immediately invite Ukraine to join NATO. The plan also includes strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, including permission for Ukraine to use Western weapons for long-range strikes on Russian territory. A classified appendix is attached to this clause, which has reportedly been shared with the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy. Zelensky proposed establishing new agreements with Western countries to promote economic activity.

India and Canada Expel Diplomats in Blow to Relations

India and Canada expelled several of each other’s diplomats after Ottawa accused New Delhi of supporting violence against Canadian Sikh activists. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated it believed the six expelled Indian diplomats had connections to organized criminal elements involved in harassment and violence against Canadian Sikhs. It is the latest development in a diplomatic rift reaching back to last year, when both countries suspended visa services after Canada announced it was investigating Indian officials in connection to the murder of a Sikh nationalist near Vancouver. Canadian and Indian officials both claim bilateral trade is unlikely to be affected in the near term. Rather, citizens of both countries are likely to face difficulties in obtaining visas or receiving diplomatic services while tensions remain high.

Vietnam and China Sign Cooperation Deals

Vietnam and China signed ten agreements ranging from agriculture cooperation to cross-border QR code payments during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s three-day visit to Hanoi. Both countries also signed a document on updating cross-border railway links. The new cooperations highlight payment and railway links. China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and a vital source of imports for its manufacturing sector, with bilateral trade jumping 21 percent for the first three quarters from last year to USD 148 billion. While China and Vietnam have good relations, they do have territorial disputes over control of nearby sea shipping lanes. Furthermore, many Western states see Vietnam as a key alternative to Chinese-based manufacturing, and many companies are in the process of moving operations to Vietnam.