External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the Philippines on July 22–23 for the ASEAN framework discussions and the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Jaishankar will engage in Foreign Minister level Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Meetings in Manila.
This visit highlights India’s deepening involvement with ASEAN under the Act East Policy and emphasizes the commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The year 2026 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, as stated by the MEA.
During the visit, Jaishankar will also participate in a Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the United States on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related meetings. Additionally, bilateral meetings with participating countries’ counterparts are expected to take place.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also arrived in the Philippines for the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Rubio will engage with senior government officials from Indo-Pacific countries and participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting during his stay in Manila.
The 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in New Delhi on May 26 this year, saw the launch of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) initiative by partner countries. The IPMSC aims to enhance maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific region through information sharing, maritime domain awareness capacity building, and expert exchanges.
