At the meet, India shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative, the threat of terrorism and maritime issues in the context of UNCLOS framework

Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan on Saturday participated in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held in a virtual format under the chairmanship of Vietnam.

The 27th ARF Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) exchanged views on international and regional issues.

V. Muraleedharan presented India’s perspectives on the Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative, the threat of terrorism, maritime issues in the context of UNCLOS framework and cooperation for collective response for COVID-19.

Expressing his happiness on being a part of the virtual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of ARF,, Muraleedharan on Saturday took to his twitter and said, “Glad to participate in the 27th #ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial. Shared India’s views on #COVID19 #MaritimeSecurity #IndoPacific #CounterTerrorism. India will co-chair #ARF workshops on Port security & #UNCLOS. Thank #Vietnam for its leadership,”


The ARF Ministers adopted three statements: Enhancing Cooperation to Prevent and Respond to Infectious Disease Outbreaks; Treatment of Children Recruited by or Associated with Terrorist Groups; and Cooperation in the Field of Security of and in the Use of ICTs in the Context of International Security.

India engages in various ARF activities and initiatives on Maritime Security; Counter Terrorism; Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs); and Disaster Relief.

Under the ARF activities approved for 2020-21 during the meeting, India will co-chair workshops on International Ship and Port facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and on Implementing United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international instruments.