External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar arrived in Vientiane, Laos, to participate in the pivotal ASEAN-mechanism meetings, which are focused on bolstering India’s ties with Southeast Asian nations. Jaishankar is optimistic about enhancing India’s engagement with ASEAN countries, a key step in the decade-long journey of the Act East Policy.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic alliance of 10 Southeast Asian countries. As ASEAN grows stronger, India continues to be a significant partner for the economic bloc.
“Arrived in Vientiane, Laos to take part in the ASEAN-mechanism meetings. Look forward to further deepening India’s ties with ASEAN as we mark a decade of Act East Policy,” said EAM Jaishankar in a post on X.
Arrived in Vientiane, Laos to take part in the ASEAN-mechanism meetings.
Look forward to further deepen India’s ties with ASEAN as we mark a decade of Act East Policy. pic.twitter.com/bE1haSqDF9
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 25, 2024
From July 25 to 27, Jaishankar will be in Vientiane, Lao PDR, attending the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings within the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an earlier press release.
Invited by Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, EAM Jaishankar’s visit emphasizes India’s profound engagement and the significance it places on the ASEAN-centered regional architecture, its firm commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and the advancement of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Additionally, the External Affairs Minister is slated to conduct bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various countries in Vientiane, Lao PDR, alongside the ASEAN-related meetings.
