Manila [Philippines], July 23 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi counterparts Vijitha Herath and Khalilur Rahman on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) assembly in Manila, as India continued its high-level diplomatic engagements throughout the ASEAN-related overseas ministers’ conferences.
Sharing particulars of the conferences, Jaishankar stated in a publish on X, ‘Glad to satisfy FM Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka and FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh throughout the ARF assembly Manila, Philippines.’
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, on Wednesday, in a publish on X, stated that his go to to Manila was geared toward reaffirming Sri Lanka’s dedication to strengthening engagement with the ARF and ASEAN member states.
‘Today (22), I arrived in Manila, Philippines, to take part within the thirty third ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the commemorative occasion marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). This go to reaffirms Sri Lanka’s dedication to deepening constructive engagement with the ARF and ASEAN Member States. On the sidelines of the ARF associated conferences, I may even maintain bilateral conferences with my counterparts from the collaborating international locations,’ the publish learn.
The EAM additionally had a ‘catch-up’ with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
‘Good to meet up with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas in Manila, Philippines,’ the EAM acknowledged in a publish on X.
https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2080130044442325447?s=20
Jaishankar is on a two-day go to to Manila, throughout which he attended and is about to attend a collection of overseas minister-level conferences, together with the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ARF conferences.
On Wednesday, Jaishankar held talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, with discussions specializing in strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the aims set for India-Canada ties by the 2 international locations’ Prime Ministers.
Jaishankar additionally held a lunch assembly with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and exchanged views on regional and international developments.
The External Affairs Minister additionally met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and raised India’s considerations over the security of Indian seafarers following the assault on industrial vessel MV Golden Leo, which resulted within the deaths of 4 Indian nationals.
‘An in-depth overview of our bilateral relations with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Reiterated our robust concern concerning the security of Indian seafarers within the area,’ Jaishankar stated in a publish on X.
The two ministers additionally mentioned areas together with commerce and funding, vitality, connectivity, science and know-how, mobility, the Ukraine battle and the Gulf scenario.
Jaishankar additionally held discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, emphasising {that a} steady and cooperative India-China relationship based mostly on ‘mutual respect, mutual curiosity and mutual sensitivity’ might contribute to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world.
He stated peace and tranquillity in border areas remained a prerequisite for regular ties, whereas welcoming current steps such because the resumption of direct flights, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and border commerce.
The EAM additionally highlighted points together with truthful market entry, commerce stability and provide chain predictability.
The External Affairs Minister additionally held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio masking key areas of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, together with commerce and tariffs, vitality, defence and safety, essential minerals and synthetic intelligence, together with regional, international and multilateral points.
The assembly occurred alongside the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the place India, the United States, Japan and Australia reaffirmed their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific and help for ASEAN centrality.
Jaishankar additionally met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa P Lazaro.
With Wong, he adopted up on the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s current go to to Australia and mentioned the upcoming Quad engagement.
During his talks with Lazaro, Jaishankar mentioned strengthening the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, with focus areas together with commerce and funding, training, defence and safety, maritime cooperation, capability constructing and developments within the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)