Jaishankar Reaffirms India's Indo-Pacific Vision at ASEAN Forum

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila, highlighting India's commitment to strengthening political and security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific amid growing regional and global challenges.

Spoke at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting today in Manila.

➡️ Recognised the importance of ARF for discussing political & security issues in the Indo-Pacific, especially in these complex times.

➡️ Welcomed the Manila Plan of Action and highlighted that… pic.twitter.com/5QoTF7rP9a

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 23, 2026

Jaishankar welcomed the Manila Plan of Action, stating that its five pillars closely align with India's Indo-Pacific approach based on openness, inclusivity and cooperation.

The minister underlined India's active role in disaster management, saying New Delhi promotes collaborative disaster relief through sharing best practices, developing common standard operating procedures (SOPs), and conducting real-time as well as tabletop exercises.

He noted that India supports the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and has consistently provided humanitarian assistance through field hospitals, search-and-rescue teams, relief materials and medical supplies. He cited India's recent rehabilitation efforts following cyclones in Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Jamaica, as well as earthquakes in Myanmar, Venezuela and Afghanistan.

On terrorism, Jaishankar reiterated that there must be zero tolerance for terrorism, stressing that terror acts must have consequences. He also called for cutting off financial networks that sustain terrorist organisations. India, along with Malaysia, currently co-chairs the Experts' Working Group (EWG) under ADMM+, leading efforts to prepare a compendium of global best practices.

Addressing maritime security, he highlighted India's contributions through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative, and the deployment of Indian naval assets from the North Arabian Sea to the Western Pacific. These initiatives, he said, are helping combat piracy, trafficking, narcotics trade and ensuring safe maritime commerce.

Jaishankar also stressed the importance of preventing the erosion of global non-proliferation and disarmament frameworks while advocating a responsible, human-centric approach to artificial intelligence and stronger international cooperation against cybercrime.

He emphasized that attacks on maritime shipping and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and called for ensuring that international waterways remain safe and open for global commerce.

On the South China Sea, the External Affairs Minister expressed India's support for an effective, substantive and legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) that fully complies with UNCLOS 1982 and protects the legitimate rights of all users.

India's interventions at the ASEAN Regional Forum underscored its continued commitment to a secure, resilient and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.