Vientiane

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in Vientiane, Laos, to attend key ASEAN meetings aimed at strengthening ties between India and Southeast Asian nations. Jaishankar is optimistic about advancing India’s engagement with ASEAN, marking a decade of the Act East Policy.

Arrived in Vientiane for ASEAN meetings. Excited to deepen India’s ties with ASEAN as we celebrate ten years of the Act East Policy, Jaishankar posted on X.

From July 25 to 27, Jaishankar will participate in Foreign Ministers’ Meetings within the ASEAN framework, including ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) discussions, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He is visiting at the invitation of Lao PDR’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Saleumxay Kommasith.

This visit highlights India’s commitment to ASEAN and the ASEAN-centered regional structure, emphasizing the importance of ASEAN unity, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This year marks ten years since Prime Minister Modi announced the Act East Policy at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014.

Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral talks with other leaders in Vientiane during the ASEAN-related meetings. ASEAN, a union of ten Southeast Asian countries, continues to grow, and India remains a key partner.