ASEAN is cornerstone of India’s Act East policy: Jaishankar
| 2024-07-26
EAM S Jaishankar with ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Vientiane in Laos on July 26
India attaches very high importance to the ASEAN as it has also emerged as the cornerstone of its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region
While participating at the opening session of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Vientiane in Laos, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said ASEAN is the “cornerstone” of India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision.
“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,” Jaishankar said.
Further emphasizing the importance attached by India to the ASEAN, Jaishankar said, “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.”
At the meeting, the EAM further said that digital, defence, maritime, connectivity, security, health, traditional medicine and cultural heritage preservation continue to be priority areas of cooperation between India and the ASEAN.
The EAM also took the opportunity to welcome Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas of Timor-Leste as an observer at the meeting and said India is working towards opening an embassy in Dili, the national capital of Timor-Leste. “Last year, Prime Minister Modi announced that we will open an Embassy in Dili. We are proceeding to do so very shortly and in fact will be undertaking high-level visits there as well,” Jaishankar said.
EAM Jaishankar expressed his deep appreciation for ASEAN Foreign Ministers for strengthening ASEAN-India relations through substantive and tangible cooperation identified under the ASEAN-India Plan of Action and its Annex.
Earlier, Jaishankar thanked Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan for co-chairing the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ meetings for the past three years. Singapore was the country coordinator for India within ASEAN during this period, and the Philippines will take on the role for the next three years.
Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with Laos Home Minister Vilayvong Bouddakham, Industry Minister Malaithong Kommasith, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Sanya Praseuth, and Special Envoy Alounkeo Kittikhoun and discussed relations between the two countries.
He also held a meeting with Brunei Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and launched the logo celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two sides.
The EAM also met New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and discussed education, agriculture, technology, and the Pacific Islands.
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