External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has recently been active in strengthening India's relationships in the Indo-Pacific region. During his visit to Vientiane, Laos, for key ASEAN meetings, Jaishankar held important discussions with several regional leaders to advance India’s strategic interests and partnerships.
Jaishankar’s visit is notable for his meeting with Enrique Manalo, the Foreign Minister of the Philippines. This discussion was centred around enhancing the strategic partnership between India and the Philippines.
Both leaders explored ways to bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, a region of growing geopolitical significance. Their talks reflected a shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties and addressing common challenges in this dynamic part of the world.
In addition to his engagement with the Philippines, Jaishankar also met with Timor Leste's Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas. This meeting, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings, was an opportunity to further the already strong relationship between Delhi and Dili.
Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing friendship and collaboration between the two nations, highlighting the progress in their shared priorities for the Indo-Pacific region. This engagement underscores the importance of strengthening ties with Timor Leste as part of India’s broader strategic goals.
Jaishankar arrived in Vientiane on July 25 for a series of Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework, which includes the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) discussions.
These meetings, running through July 27, are crucial for advancing India’s Act East Policy, which marks its tenth anniversary this year. The policy, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014, aims to enhance India's engagement with Southeast Asian countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
During his time in Vientiane, Jaishankar is expected to engage in a range of bilateral meetings with counterparts from various countries. His visit highlights India’s ongoing commitment to ASEAN and its strategic regional architecture.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised the importance of this engagement, noting India’s dedication to ASEAN unity, centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The meetings reflect India’s commitment to advancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reinforcing its position in the Indo-Pacific.
Jaishankar’s visit to Laos was made at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. This invitation underscores the growing significance of India's role in the region and its valued partnership with ASEAN. As ASEAN continues to strengthen its position as a political and economic union, India remains a key partner, contributing to the region’s stability and prosperity.
Jaishankar's engagements in Vientiane, including his discussions with Manalo and Freitas, signify a concerted effort by India to deepen its connections with key partners in the Indo-Pacific.
The visit not only reaffirms India’s strategic interests in the region but also highlights the ongoing evolution of its foreign policy to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
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