News Excerpt:

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar recently engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with various leaders during the ASEAN meetings in Vientiane, Laos.

About the news:

• Dr. Jaishankar emphasised that ASEAN is the cornerstone of India’s Act East policy and vision for Indo-Pacific.
• Digital, defence, maritime, connectivity, security, health and cultural heritage preservation continue to be priority areas for India-ASEAN cooperation. 
• During the meeting, Dr Jaishankar also spoke about the situation in Myanmar, keeping the Sea Lines of Communication open and free, Quad’s outlook on ASEAN and the conflict in Gaza. 

India’s EAM Bilateral meets on the sideline:

Russia: He met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, discussing key aspects of Russia-India relations, including cooperation in education and agricultural technology. The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

South Korea: He also had a productive conversation with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, focusing on the Special Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea. This dialogue covered a broad range of topics, strengthening ties between the two countries.

European Union: He met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. The meeting highlighted the importance of EU-India relations and explored areas of potential collaboration.

Singapore: A significant discussion took place with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, with both leaders expressing their commitment to deepening bilateral ties. S. Jaishankar also engaged in talks with Indonesia's Foreign Minister, focusing on enhancing cooperation in various sectors.

New Zealand: His meeting with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters included discussions on education, agricultural technology, and regional issues concerning the Pacific Islands. The two leaders also touched upon cultural exchanges, including cricket.

Brunei: He met with Brunei's Foreign Minister Dato Haji Erywan. The meeting was marked by the launch of a logo celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei, reflecting the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

These bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit highlighted India's active engagement with key global partners, aiming to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.