EAM Jaishankar calls for deeper India-ASEAN cooperation amid global uncertainty
Manila, July 22
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday underlined the need for stronger cooperation between India and ASEAN in the face of growing global uncertainty, saying that no country or regional grouping can effectively tackle today's challenges on its own.
Delivering his opening remarks at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with India 2026 in Manila, Jaishankar thanked the Philippines for its warm welcome and acknowledged its role as the country coordinator in further strengthening the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Referring to the conference theme, the External Affairs Minister said, "The chairship team navigating our future together captures the sentiment which many of us feel today. The world is extremely turbulent, and it is increasingly evident that no single nation or even grouping can deal with it on its own."
He urged member states to look ahead and reflect on how greater cooperation could better serve their shared interests while responding to the rapidly changing global environment.
Highlighting the challenges confronting the international community, EAM Jaishankar said, "In this era of volatility and disruption, the most visible stress is on supply chains. Energy, food, and health security can no longer be taken for granted. Because we are all so dependent on maritime trade, that too could become a source of anxiety. Observing international law in that regard is therefore vital."
The External Affairs Minister also noted that 2026 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, describing it as a "timely reminder of what we can do for a more stable and secure future."
At the same time, EAM Jaishankar emphasised that both India and ASEAN remain optimistic about their future prospects and should continue focusing on opportunities while addressing emerging challenges.
"Our eyes must therefore be firmly fixed on opportunities, even while addressing challenges. And there are many of them, many of them amongst us and between us. The India-ASEAN agenda today covers trade and investment, mobility and talent, tech, digital and air, green and sustainability, as well as connectivity. It is only through deeper cooperation that we can de-risk and diversify," he stated.
Reaffirming India's longstanding commitment to the region, EAM Jaishankar said that New Delhi and ASEAN have consistently worked together for the welfare and prosperity of the wider Indo-Pacific region.
"For India, ASEAN centrality is a key principle. One example of the manner in which that working is the way in which the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific meshes with India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. There are many other domains and examples reflected in activities, numbers and policies. This is a world in transition, and India and ASEAN, who account for 2 billion, must navigate it together if it is to remain safe and steady," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
All this talk about cooperation is good, but what about the common man? Our trade deals with ASEAN haven't helped our farmers or small businesses much. The rich get richer while we struggle with inflation. Need more concrete action, not just speeches. 🤷♀️
It's refreshing to see India take a proactive role in Southeast Asia. The Indo-Pacific region needs stability, and India-ASEAN partnership is crucial. Jaishankar's emphasis on maritime cooperation and supply chain resilience is spot-on. Let's hope this translates into actionable policies. 👍
"ASEAN centrality" sounds great, but is India truly ready to commit? We keep talking about Act East Policy, but our trade with ASEAN is still far behind China's. Need more people-to-people ties and less bureaucracy. On a positive note, the Year of Maritime Cooperation is a good start! 🚢
This is exactly the kind of diplomacy we need. Instead of getting dragged into great power rivalry, India is building its own network of partnerships. ASEAN is our natural backyard. But let's also focus on digital cooperation—India's tech talent can really help modernize Southeast Asia. 🇮🇳🇸🇬
India's stance on maritime law is important, but actions speak louder than words. With the South China Sea disputes and Myanmar crisis, ASEAN is a test of India's diplomatic maturity. Hoping Jaishankar's vision leads to real cooperation, not just photo ops. 🙏
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