India Seeks to Strengthen Ties with ASEAN: Focus on Political, Economic, and Security Cooperation

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of ASEAN in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. During his visit to Laos, Jaishankar highlighted expanding political, economic, and security cooperation as top priorities. The meeting marks a decade of India's Act East Policy initiated in 2014.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday underscored the critical role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Speaking in the Laotian capital, Jaishankar noted the priority placed on enhancing political, economic, and security ties with the bloc.

Jaishankar made these remarks at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting, stressing that the current cooperation is of utmost priority for India. He highlighted the evolving dimensions of the India-ASEAN partnership, which continues to broaden with time.

This visit to Laos is particularly significant as it coincides with the ten-year mark of India's Act East Policy, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014. India aims for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region founded on a rules-based international order. Jaishankar also held discussions with New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters, addressing topics such as education, agriculture technology, the Pacific Islands, and cricket.