External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised on Friday that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains central to India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Speaking at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Jaishankar underscored the deepening partnership between India and ASEAN, noting its expanding dimensions each year.
Jaishankar highlighted that for India, ASEAN is a critical component of its strategic ‘Act East’ policy, which aligns with the broader Indo-Pacific vision. He emphasised that political, economic, and security cooperation with ASEAN is of utmost importance. Additionally, he pointed out the significance of enhancing people-to-people linkages, which India is continually striving to expand.
The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane has gathered over a thousand delegates, including foreign ministers and representatives from 31 countries. Jaishankar praised the meeting as “productive” and reiterated India’s commitment to advancing cooperation across several priority areas, including digital innovation, defence, maritime security, connectivity, and cultural heritage preservation.
Jaishankar also reflected on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Jakarta in September 2023, where he participated in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit. This visit was significant as it marked the first major event following the elevation of India-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
The minister noted that Prime Minister Modi had announced a 12-point plan during the Jakarta summit, much of which has already been acted upon. Jaishankar’s remarks highlighted the importance India places on ASEAN and East Asia Summit (EAS) platforms, as demonstrated by Modi’s visit just before the G20 Summit.
In his address, Jaishankar also addressed key issues including the situation in Myanmar, the importance of maintaining open and free sea lines of communication, the Quad’s perspective on ASEAN and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These topics underline India’s commitment to a comprehensive and cooperative approach in the Indo-Pacific region.
The External Affairs Minister’s visit to Vientiane is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance regional cooperation and ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific. From Vientiane, Jaishankar is set to travel to Tokyo for the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting on July 29, where he will join his counterparts from Australia and the United States. This upcoming meeting will further reinforce the strategic alignment and cooperative efforts among Quad nations and their ASEAN partners.
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