EAM Jaishankar Meets ASEAN Senior Officials, Emphasizes Strategic Partnership

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with ASEAN Senior Officials in New Delhi on Friday, expressing confidence in the continued growth of the ASEAN-India comprehensive strategic partnership.

Highlighting the significance of ASEAN-India meetings in India's diplomatic calendar, Jaishankar welcomed the progress in cooperation and affirmed his belief in the partnership's strength.

Taking to platform 'X', S Jaishankar said "Delighted to receive ASEAN Senior Officials in New Delhi this afternoon. Glad to be apprised of the progress in our cooperation The ASEAN-India meetings are a significant feature of India’s diplomatic calendar. Confident that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will grow from strength to strength."

Delighted to receive ASEAN Senior Officials in New Delhi this afternoon.

Glad to be apprised of the progress in our cooperation The ASEAN-India meetings are a significant feature of India’s diplomatic calendar.

Confident that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will grow… pic.twitter.com/5GY0yRg22l

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 3, 2024

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an inter-governmental international organisation, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia

"The delegation of Senior Officials' from ASEAN, Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat jointly called on S Jaishankar on Friday. While underlining that ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India's Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific, EAM encouraged the delegation to focus on subjects of critical importance and specific outcomes, including early completion of review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and regional issues of mutual interest," the MEA said in a statement.

In a recent address at the first ASEAN Future Forum, Jaishankar advocated for enhanced cooperation between India and ASEAN, emphasizing support for ASEAN unity and centrality in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted the alignment between India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), underscoring their joint commitment to addressing comprehensive security challenges.

India's active participation in various ASEAN-led frameworks, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting+ (ADMM+), and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), reflects its commitment to regional collaboration and stability.

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