Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar India attaches importance to the strategic partnership with ASEAN – a cornerstone in his country’s Look East Policy. 

Foreign ministers to the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting held virtually on August 4, 2021

Jaishankar made the above statement at the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting held digitally on Wednesday.

The diplomat voiced support for ASEAN to play a greater role in the regional architecture as well as the bloc’s efforts in building the ASEAN Community and narrowing development gap.

Jaishankar appreciated ASEAN’s solidarity and support for India in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, underling the need to continue mutual assistance, including medical supplies, medicines and vaccines, in this fight.

He also emphasized that ASEAN and India should work together to enhance preventive healthcare capacity and boost resilient supply chain in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai of Thailand - country coordinator of ASEAN-India relations – welcomed India’s expression to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and the region through its Look East Policy.

Pramudwinai affirmed that ASEAN will coordinate with India to further advance the relations with India, contributing to peace, security and prosperity in the region.

ASEAN member States appreciated India’s contribution of US$1 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, expressing their wish to step up collaboration with India in comprehensive and sustainable recovery efforts in the region.

ASEAN welcomed India’s proposal to celebrate the year 2022 as ASEAN-India Friendship Year as it marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India sectoral partnership, 25th anniversary of dialogue partnership, 20th anniversary of Summit-level partnership and 10 years of Strategic Partnership.

Both sides agreed to continue mutual support and assistance in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, minimizing negative impacts of the pandemic, and accelerating recovery through effective implementation of the ASEAN-India action plan for 2021-2025 period.

Regarding regional and international situation, ASEAN and India affirmed they will coordinately closely to make contributions to efforts aimed at sustaining peace, security, stability in the region, including maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

India reiterated support for ASEAN’s principled positions on the East Sea, for the bloc’s greater role in pushing forward dialogue and trust building, and for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and formulation of an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

India also welcomed the outcomes of ASEAN leaders’ summit on April 24, 2021 and back its role and efforts in fostering dialogue and reconciliation in Myanmar and support Myanmar to seek solutions to stabilize the situation in the country.

Both ASEAN and India agreed to coordinate in drafting cooperative documents in accordance with the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) .

The meeting is part of the ongoing 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings which will last until August 7th, 2021./.