S Jaishankar Meets Enrique Manalo and Bendito Freitas in Laos to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Partnerships
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo on Thursday in Vientiane, Laos. They discussed ways to strengthen the collaboration between their two nations and their partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar expressed his delight in meeting Manalo and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ASEAN centrality.
Jaishankar also met with Timor Leste’s Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings. They exchanged views on shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar highlighted the growing friendship between Delhi and Dili and their commitment to diversifying and deepening their relationship.
Earlier, Jaishankar arrived in Vientiane to participate in crucial ASEAN-mechanism meetings aimed at strengthening India’s relations with Southeast Asian nations. He expressed optimism about advancing India’s engagement with ASEAN countries, marking a significant milestone in the Act East Policy’s decade-long journey.
Jaishankar is visiting Vientiane from July 25 to 27 to take part in the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). His visit underscores India’s deep engagement with ASEAN and its commitment to ASEAN unity, centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
This year marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy, which was announced by the Prime Minister at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries in Vientiane on the margins of the ASEAN-related meetings.
ASEAN is a political and economic union of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. As ASEAN continues to grow in strength, India remains a valued partner for the economic union.
Doubts Revealed
S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is India’s External Affairs Minister. He is responsible for managing India’s relationships with other countries.
Enrique Manalo -: Enrique Manalo is the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. He handles the Philippines’ international relations.
Bendito Freitas -: Bendito Freitas is the Foreign Minister of Timor Leste, a country in Southeast Asia. He manages Timor Leste’s foreign affairs.
Laos -: Laos is a country in Southeast Asia. The capital city is Vientiane.
Indo-Pacific -: The Indo-Pacific is a region that includes the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. It is important for trade and security.
Act East Policy -: India’s Act East Policy is a strategy to improve relations with Southeast Asian countries. It started about ten years ago.
ASEAN -: ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is a group of countries in Southeast Asia that work together on economic and political issues.
ASEAN unity and centrality -: ASEAN unity and centrality mean that the ASEAN countries work together closely and play a central role in regional matters.