ASEAN cornerstone of India's Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision EAM Jaishankar

    Vientiane (Laos), Jul 26 (PTI) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is the cornerstone of India's Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday, as he sought to expand political, economic and security cooperation with the 10-member influential regional bloc.
    Jaishankar is here in the Laotian capital to participate in the meetings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
    In his remarks at the opening session of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting, Jaishankar said the priority that India attaches to ASEAN and EAS (East Asia Summit) platforms is evident from Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Jakarta last year on the very eve of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
    He noted that Prime Minister Modi had announced a 12-point plan that has been largely acted upon.
    "For India, ASEAN is the cornerstone of its Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific vision that was thereafter built on it. For us, political, economic and security cooperation with ASEAN is of the utmost priority. So too are people-to-people linkages, that we are constantly seeking to expand," Jaishankar said.
    It is encouraging to note that the India-ASEAN partnership acquires ever more dimensions with each passing day, he said.
    He thanked his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan for co-chairing the meeting.
    He also welcomed Minister Bendito Freitas of Timor-Leste as an observer in the meeting.
    "Last year, Prime Minister Modi announced that we will open an Embassy in Dili. We are proceeding to do so very shortly and in fact, will be undertaking high-level visits there as well," Jaishankar said.
    "I congratulate Lao PDR for the chairmanship of ASEAN and extend our fullest support for the successful Chairmanship. I also thank our colleague and Lao PDR (People's Democratic Republic) for the warm welcome and hospitality," Jaishankar added.
    He extended his deep appreciation to all the members for strengthening ASEAN-India relations through substantive and tangible cooperation identified under the ASEAN-India Plan of Action and its Annex.
    "Participated in a productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this morning in Vientiane, Laos," Jaishankar posted on X.
    "Welcome the Philippines as the incoming country coordinator. Digital, defence, maritime, connectivity, security, health and traditional medicine and cultural heritage preservation continue to be priority areas for India-ASEAN cooperation," Jaishankar wrote on X.
    "Also spoke about the situation in Myanmar, keeping the Sea Lines of Communication open and free, Quad’s outlook on ASEAN & AOIP (ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific) and the conflict in Gaza," he said.
    Jaishankar’s visit to Laos is of particular significance that this year marks a decade of India's Act East Policy, which was announced by Prime Minister Modi at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi ahead of his visit.
    "As we celebrate a decade of the Act East Policy, India values the progress achieved in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership and the increasing synergy in our outlook for the region," the minister added.
    The 'Act East Policy' is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels.
    India envisages a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, one which is built on a rules-based international order.
    The 10 member countries of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)