External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated India’s strong support for ASEAN unity and centrality as well as the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
 
Participating at the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum in Vientiane, Laos on Saturday (July 27, 2024), he also noted the synergy between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP). According to EAM Jaishankar, Quad complements ASEAN-led mechanisms in their effort to make the region stable, secure and prosperous through delivery of people-centric benefits.
 
EAM Jaishankar highlighted the importance of maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight and peaceful resolution of disputes in the region, in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982. 

He shared key points from his interaction at the meet through a post on X.
 
“Covid, Conflict and Climate highlight our predicament today. Solutions can only emerge through Cooperation – economic, political, technological and connectivity,” he stated.
 
He emphasised that neither the deployment of new technologies nor the interdependence of globalization must be unfairly leveraged.
 
“Only international cooperation can ensure that the global commons is secure and global goods are delivered,” he pointed out. 
 
He called on ARF nations to be robust in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, dismantle terror sanctuaries and UN-proscribed terrorism financing networks and tackle cybercrime.

During his address, he emphasised that India remains steadfast in its commitment to contributing to ARF activities over the coming years.
 
Earlier, participating at the opening session of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Vientiane on Friday (July 26, 2024), EAM Jaishankar said ASEAN was the “cornerstone” of India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. “For us, political, economic and security cooperation with ASEAN is of the utmost priority,” he stated.
 
According to EAM Jaishankar, digital, defence, maritime, connectivity, security, health, traditional medicine and cultural heritage preservation continue to be priority areas of cooperation between India and the ASEAN.