'Strengthening India’s strategic diplomacy': Dr S. Jaishankar to participate in ASEAN, QUAD meetings

New Delhi, July 24: External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will visit Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 25-27 July 2024 at the invitation of Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR. He will participate in the Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

This visit highlights India's deep engagement with ASEAN and highlights the importance of India's place in ASEAN-centered regional architecture. It reaffirms India's strong commitment to ASEAN unity, centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

Furthermore, it aims to advance the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This year is particularly significant as it marks a decade of India's Act East Policy, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014. Dr. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries on the margins of the ASEAN-related meetings in Vientiane.

Following this, Dr. Jaishankar will visit Japan from 28-30 July 2024, at the invitation of foreign minister of Japan, Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, to participate in the next meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers in Tokyo on 29 July 2024. The meeting will include the Foreign Ministers of Australia and the United States.

During the QUAD meeting, the Ministers will continue discussions from their last meeting in New York in September 2023. They will exchange views on developments in the Indo-Pacific region and review progress on QUAD initiatives and working groups. The Ministers will discuss regional and international issues and guide future collaboration to achieve a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific by addressing contemporary priorities and delivering public goods.

Importance of ASEAN and QUAD Meetings for India and the Region

The ASEAN meetings offer India a platform to reinforce its commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality, which are vital for regional stability and economic integration. The ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a cornerstone of India's foreign policy. Engaging with ASEAN helps India bolster its strategic partnerships and leverage regional cooperation for mutual benefit. This year marks a decade of India's Act East Policy, aimed at enhancing economic and strategic relations with the Asia-Pacific region. The meetings in Vientiane provide an opportunity to evaluate and further this policy.

The QUAD meeting in Tokyo is significant for discussions on the Indo-Pacific region, a critical area for global trade and security. The QUAD’s shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific aligns with India's strategic interests.

Both ASEAN and QUAD meetings will address contemporary regional challenges, including maritime security, trade, and infrastructure development. Collaborative efforts in these areas are essential for regional peace and prosperity.

Overall, Dr. Jaishankar’s visits to these meetings are pivotal for reinforcing India's diplomatic and strategic objectives in the region, fostering collaborative solutions, and promoting a stable, prosperous, and free Indo-Pacific.