Vientiane/New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday participated in a productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Laos capital during which digital, defence, maritime, connectivity, security, and health were discussed.
In posts on X, EAM said that he spoke about the situation in Myanmar, on keeping the Sea Lines of Communication open and free, and Quad’s outlook on ASEAN & AOIP and the conflict in Gaza.
The EAM also held meetings on the sidelines with the Brunei FM Haji Erywan and New Zealand Deputy PM and FM Winston Peters, and Lao PDR Minister of Home Affairs Vilayvong Bouddakham.
“Participated in a productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this morning in Vientiane, Laos.
“Thank @VivianBala for co-chairing it with me these past three years. Welcome Philippines as the incoming country coordinator.
“Digital, defence, maritime, connectivity, security, health & traditional medicine and cultural heritage preservation continue to be priority areas for India-ASEAN cooperation.
“Also spoke about the situation in Myanmar, keeping the Sea Lines of Communication open and free, Quad’s outlook on ASEAN & AOIP and the conflict in Gaza.
“As we celebrate a decade of the Act East Policy, India values the progress achieved in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership and the increasing synergy in our outlook for the region.”
In his address at the meeting, the EAM said that for India, “ASEAN is the cornerstone of its Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific vision that was thereafter built on it.
“For us, political, economic and security cooperation with ASEAN is of the utmost priority. So too are people-to-people linkages, that we are constantly seeking to expand. It is encouraging to note that our partnership acquires ever more dimensions with each passing year. While our achievements are substantial, our ambitions must always remain high.”
EAM congratulated Lao PDR for the chairmanship of ASEAN and extended fullest support for the successful Chairmanship.
“The priority that India attaches to ASEAN and EAS platforms is evident from Prime Minister Modi visiting Jakarta last year on the very eve of our own G20 Summit. He had announced a 12-point plan that has been largely acted upon.”
The EAM welcomed Minister Bendito Freitas of Timor-Leste as an Observer in the meeting, as well.
“Last year, Prime Minister Modi announced that we will open an Embassy in Dili (capital of East Timor). We are proceeding to do so very shortly and in fact will be undertaking high-level visits there as well.”
“I extend my deep appreciation to all of you for strengthening ASEAN-India relations through substantive and tangible cooperation identified under the ASEAN-India Plan of Action and its Annex,” he added.
