Jaishankar holds bilateral meetings with counterparts from ASEAN countries

Vientiane (Laos): Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday met his counterparts from the Philippines, Enrique A Manalo, and Norway’s Espen Barth Eide on the margins of the ASEAN meet and discussed strengthening bilateral collaboration and priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with Timor Leste’s Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea.

Jaishankar and all other leaders are in the Lao People's Democratic Republic’s capital to participate in the Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework in the format of ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

While with his South Asian counterparts, the talks were mostly about bilateral relations and geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific, he also discussed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during his meeting with the Norwegian leader.

“Good to meet Foreign Minister @EspenBarthEide of Norway today. The India - Nordic partnership in clean energy and trade continues to deliver. Committed to implementing European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) to the better advantage of both countries. Also spoke about the geopolitical situation,” the Minister said after the meeting with his Norwegian counterpart.

Stating that he was “delighted to meet” his friend Enrique A Manalo of Philippines, Jaishankar said in a post on X: “Discussed the strengthening collaboration between our two democracies and partnership in the Indo-Pacific, especially in upholding the rule of law and ASEAN centrality.” “Pleasure to meet FM Bendito Freitas of Timor Leste on the sidelines of #ASEAN meetings. Our Delhi to Dili friendship continues to diversify and deepen. Also exchanged views on our shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said in a post on X after the meeting with Freitas.

“Glad to meet DPM & FM Sok Chenda Sophea of Cambodia. Noted the progress in our bilateral ties, including air connectivity, defence and heritage conservation. Looking forward to further building on it,” he said in another post on X.

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 Narendra Modi at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi ahead of his visit.

Foreign ministers from Southeast Asian nations and top diplomats from key partner countries such as the United States and China have gathered here for the three-day meet. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are among the attendees.