External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded his three-nation Southeast Asia tour to enhance bilateral relations and discuss regional concerns. During his visit to Malaysia from March 27-28, he met with PM Anwar Bin Ibrahim and discussed deepening ties under the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
EAM Jaishankar also held discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan on various cooperation areas and met with Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to discuss digital cooperation and business opportunities. He also engaged with industry leaders and the Indian diaspora, praising their contributions to India-Malaysia relations.
In the Philippines, the EAM addressed maritime safety concerns following China’s actions in the South China Sea. He met with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo to discuss shared interests in upholding UNCLOS and maritime safety. EAM also met with President Bongbong Marcos, who thanked India for rescuing Filipino seafarers.
During his visit to Singapore, EAM Jaishankar had bilateral engagements with the leadership, including meetings with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. He also met with Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to discuss the Indo-Pacific and West Asia. The discussions focused on deepening cooperation in various sectors.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation and identified opportunities for collaboration during his tour. The engagements were aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering mutual understanding between India and the Southeast Asian nations. The visits underscore India’s commitment to enhancing regional partnerships and addressing global challenges.
