Jaishankar Strengthens Bilateral Ties at ASEAN Meet

Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar met with counterparts from the Philippines, Norway, Timor Leste, and Cambodia at the ASEAN meet to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and priorities in the Indo-Pacific. Discussions also included a Free Trade Agreement with Norway and India's Act East Policy.

On Thursday, Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar held meetings with his counterparts from the Philippines, Enrique A Manalo, and Norway's Espen Barth Eide, on the margins of the ASEAN meet. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration and addressing priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Jaishankar also had bilateral meetings with Timor Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea. These discussions were aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and understanding the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific.

All leaders, including Jaishankar, are in the Lao People's Democratic Republic's capital to participate in the Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework, which includes the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

In his meeting with Espen Barth Eide of Norway, Jaishankar discussed implementing the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) to benefit both countries. He emphasized the India-Nordic partnership in clean energy and trade.

(With inputs from agencies.)