EAM JAISHANKAR EMPHASIZES POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH ASEAN AS TOP PRIORITY

Jaishankar underscored India's dedication to ASEAN, highlighting the implementation of a 12-point plan from last year and expressing optimism about future collaboration with ASEAN member states and observers

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At the ASEAN meeting in Vientiane on Friday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the crucial importance of political, economic, and security cooperation with ASEAN. He emphasized that ASEAN is central to India’s Act East policy and its broader Indo-Pacific vision, which aims to deepen people-to-people connections and expand cooperative linkages.

Jaishankar highlighted India’s commitment to ASEAN, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta last year just before the G20 summit, where he unveiled a 12-point plan largely implemented since then. Jaishankar praised the evolving partnership with ASEAN, noting its growing dimensions and substantial achievements while emphasizing the need for continued high ambitions.