External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Holds Productive Discussions With ASEAN Counterparts On Fintech, Food Security, And Maritime Cooperation

With a focus on strengthening bilateral ties, discussions also revolved around the implementation of comprehensive strategic partnerships and regional concerns, including the situation in Myanmar.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 13 July 2023 9:23 am

EAM S Jaishankar with Singapore's Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had productive discussions with ASEAN counterparts, reviewing progress in areas such as fintech, food security, and maritime domains. Jaishankar, attending the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting in Jakarta, also met Singapore's Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, where they acknowledged advancements in the comprehensive strategic partnership. In a tweet, Jaishankar expressed gratitude to Balakrishnan for co-chairing the meeting and emphasized the need for greater focus on digital technology, fintech, food security, and maritime affairs, while also exchanging views on the situation in Myanmar.

As protests demanding the restoration of democracy in Myanmar continue, the military has resorted to using airstrikes against opposition groups. Jaishankar also held meetings with his counterparts from Brunei, discussing bilateral cooperation, trade enhancement, food security, mobility, and space cooperation. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Jaishankar further engaged in discussions with Balakrishnan, addressing global challenges and evaluating recent developments in bilateral ties, particularly in the fintech sector. The External Affairs Minister also met Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to assess bilateral relations, expressing appreciation for Indonesia's support as a G20 troika member. Additionally, he met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai, highlighting regional concerns and shared connectivity interests, with a plan for further discussions in Bangkok, according to media reports.

During his visit to Jakarta, Jaishankar reconnected with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, building on previous discussions from Park Jin's visit to India in April. They discussed cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. The External Affairs Minister also had the opportunity to meet New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, emphasizing the ASEAN's unifying role.

Prior to these meetings, Jaishankar commenced his engagements in Jakarta by meeting the Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn. He is scheduled to meet his counterparts under the ASEAN framework, participating in the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum meetings. Following his time in Jakarta, Jaishankar will travel to Bangkok to attend the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on Sunday. The MGC, guided by India's Act East Policy, aims to foster closer connections between India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, which share the Ganga River and Mekong River basins.

Moreover, Jaishankar will also participate in the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Bangkok on July 17. BIMSTEC, an initiative promoting economic and technical cooperation among Bay of Bengal countries, will discuss strategies to deepen the organization's agenda and strengthen collaboration.