External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in bilateral discussions with officials from Papua New Guinea and Brunei during the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila. The talks centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation and expanding involvement in key sectors. Jaishankar expressed India’s support for the development priorities and maritime security of Pacific Island nations in his meeting with Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister.
During the discussions with Brunei’s Foreign Minister, both sides explored opportunities to boost cooperation in emerging technologies. They also agreed to advance the bilateral partnership under India’s Act East Policy while strengthening engagement through ASEAN. Jaishankar highlighted the potential for collaboration in rapidly evolving technologies like AI, drones, and digital platforms.
In addition to these meetings, Jaishankar also interacted with foreign leaders from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the European Union at the ARF. He discussed various matters with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister and Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation. Furthermore, Jaishankar met with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to enhance multilateral engagements.
