Jaishankar, ASEAN Secy-General discuss India-ASEAN Plan of Action 2026-2030
Manila, July 22
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Manila on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to advancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussing the roadmap for future cooperation.
Sharing the details of the meeting in a post on X, Jaishankar said he thanked the ASEAN Secretariat for its consistent support in strengthening India-ASEAN ties and exchanged views on the core pillars of the India-ASEAN Plan of Action for 2026-2030.
"Good to interact with Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General @ASEAN in Manila today. Thank him for the consistent support from the @ASEAN Secretariat for advancing our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said.
He added, "Also exchanged views on the core pillars of India-ASEAN Plan of Action for 2026-2030, to further strengthen our partnership across polity, economy, security and culture. #ActEast #IndoPacific."
In a separate post on X, the ASEAN Secretariat said, "Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Manila, the Philippines, today."
It added, "Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across areas of mutual interest."
Delivering his opening remarks at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with India 2026 in Manila, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised that energy, food and health security can "no longer be taken for granted" and said that both India and ASEAN are "optimistic about their prospects".
Jaishankar also underlined the importance of maritime trade.
"... 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. Coincidentally, 2026 is the ASEAN-India year of maritime cooperation. It is a timely reminder of what we can do for a more stable and secure future. Both India and ASEAN are optimistic about their prospects... The India-ASEAN agenda today covers trade and investment, mobility and talent, tech, digital and AI, green and sustainability, as well as connectivity. It is only through deeper cooperation that we can de-risk and diversify..."
His remarks came as the Philippines has assumed the ASEAN Chairship in 2026.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see the Plan of Action 2026-2030 taking shape. But I hope the actual implementation matches the rhetoric. We've seen many MOUs in the past without much on-ground impact. Let's hope this time the connectivity and trade projects actually move forward.
As an outsider looking in, India's pivot to ASEAN makes strategic sense. The maritime cooperation angle is crucial given the South China Sea tensions. Jaishankar is doing a commendable job balancing relationships while pushing Indian interests.
"Energy, food, and health security can no longer be taken for granted" - this is the kind of thinking we need. Post-COVID world has shown us how fragile supply chains are. India-ASEAN cooperation on renewables, medical supplies, and food grains could be a game-changer. Let's see some concrete projects! 💪
Interesting that this meeting happened in Manila - Philippines' chairmanship year. India's cultural ties with ASEAN countries are centuries old, but economic integration has lagged. The 2026-2030 plan needs to prioritize digital payments, AI collaboration, and student exchanges. That's how you build lasting bonds.
Happy to see India taking the lead in the Indo-Pacific! The maritime cooperation year 2026 is a perfect opportunity to strengthen our naval ties and protect sea lanes. Just hope we don't get dragged into unnecessary geopolitical rivalries. Focus on trade and development, please!
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