Jaishankar Strengthens Indo-Pacific Ties at ASEAN Summit

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with counterparts from the Philippines, Norway, and Cambodia, focusing on strengthening ties in the Indo-Pacific region. The meetings took place during the ASEAN Summit in Laos. Discussions included trade, clean energy, defense, and regional security, marking a decade of India's Act East Policy.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Philippines, Norway, and Cambodia, aiming to boost bilateral collaboration and priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Jaishankar, currently in the capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings, expressed his commitment to deepening India's ties with ASEAN amidst the decade mark of India's Act East Policy.

During his meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Jaishankar confirmed the ongoing success in clean energy and trade, and the importance of the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA). Discussions also touched upon the geopolitical landscape.

Eide deemed the meeting "very good," congratulating Jaishankar on his election and re-appointment, while looking forward to the next Nordic-India Summit in Norway.

Jaishankar also engaged with Enrique A Manalo of the Philippines, focusing on the Indo-Pacific, rule of law, and ASEAN centrality. Conversations highlighted recent agreements to mitigate disputes in the South China Sea.

Meetings with Timor Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea underscored bilateral progress in diverse areas such as air connectivity, defense, and heritage conservation.

This visit coincides with the tenth anniversary of India's Act East Policy introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Foreign ministers from Southeast Asian nations and diplomats from countries like the US and China are also in attendance.

(With inputs from agencies.)