S Jaishankar: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday described ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as a crucial pillar of India’s Act East Policy, saying that this plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific.

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While speaking his pieace at opening session of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference in Jakarta, Jaishankar said, “ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India’s Act East policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. A strong and unified ASEAN plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific. India firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”

The External Affairs Minister embarks on a six-day visit to Indonesia and Thailand from July 12, concluding his overseas engagements in these two countries on July 18.

“As comprehensive strategic partners, we look forward to working with ASEAN to further expand our partnership to include newer areas while strengthening existing cooperations. I refer here, especially to cyber, financial and maritime security domains,” Jaishankar said.

He also recalled how last year, the 30th anniversary of ASEAN India relations were celebrated and was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“And this was done with a host of activities, which focused on all dimensions of our partnership, including the first Foreign Minister’s meeting in Delhi, an exchange of parliamentary delegations, an artist camp, a music festival, the first-ever Defense Minister’s meeting.

It closed with the first ASEAN India maritime exercise in May 2023,” Jaishankar said.

During the ASEAN events in Jakarta, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov had a significant meeting on Thursday.

The discussions between the two ministers encompassed a range of issues, with a particular focus on the ongoing Ukraine conflict. This meeting took place alongside the ASEAN activities, providing an opportunity for the ministers to address bilateral economic matters as well.

Jaishankar’s visit to Jakarta was primarily centered around the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings under the ASEAN framework. These meetings, scheduled for July 13-14, included the ASEAN-India meeting, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. Being an active participant in these forums, Jaishankar engaged in diplomatic discussions and negotiations aimed at fostering cooperation and addressing regional challenges.