Jakarta: During his visit to Jakarta, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the significance of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as a crucial pillar of India’s Act East Policy. He acknowledged ASEAN’s important role in the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference’s opening session on Thursday, the EAM stated, “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 dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. India firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”
The External Affairs Minister is on a six-day visit to Indonesia and Thailand since July 12, and his overseas engagements in these two countries will culminate 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.
Earlier, on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Jakarta and deliberated on the Ukraine conflict, among other issues. He is in Jakarta for the Foreign Minister’s Meetings under the ASEAN framework in the format ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum on July 13–14.
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