Latest ASEAN Regional Forum News & Updates

Seoul, July 27 (IANS) South Korea’s unification ministry reaffirmed its stance Monday on seeking “realistic and practical” solutions to denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula, focusing on halting North Korea’s nuclear programs. “The ministry’s position has not budged from seeking a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula in cooperation with the international community,” Yoon Min-ho, the ministry’s spokesperson, said at a regular briefing.”Given the gravity of North Korean nuclear issues, we will focus o…

Manila, July 23 (IANS) South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Thursday called on North Korea to respond to Seoul’s offers for dialogue and join efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula at a regional security forum in Manila, South Korea’s foreign ministry said. Cho made the remarks during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a 27-member multilateral security forum attended by the 11 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and major regional powers, inclu…

Manila, July 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Papua New Guinea and Brunei on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, with discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding engagement in key sectors. During his meeting with Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin W. Tkatchenko, EAM Jaishankar underscored India’s readiness to support the development priorit…

Manila, July 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday described attacks on merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure as “unacceptable”, stressing that commerce through international waterways must remain safe and free from disruptions. Addressing the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila, EAM Jaishankar underscored the forum’s importance for discussing political and security issues in the Indo-Pacific amid global uncertainties.”Welcomed the …

Manila, July 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila on Thursday, engaging with counterparts from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as the European Union’s top diplomat. During the engagements, EAM Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to discuss matters on the sidelines of the regional forum.Foll…

Manila, July 22 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters in Manila on Wednesday, discussing Indo-Pacific security situation and maritime cooperation. “A useful conversation with FM Winston Peters of New Zealand ASEAN Manila. Shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific security situation and discussed enhancing our maritime cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar wrote in a post on X following the meeting.Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishanka…

Manila, July 22 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a wide-ranging discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila, Philippines, focusing on bilateral relations, border stability and key regional and global developments.EAM Jaishankar shared details of the meeting in a post on X, saying he held discussions with Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum.In hi…

New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will visit the Philippines on July 22–23 to attend the ASEAN framework discussions as well as participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the United States. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar will participate in Foreign Minister level Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional For…

Washington, July 20 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet India and other Quad partners during a Southeast Asia visit, even as Washington and Beijing prepare for an expected US visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September. Rubio said the ASEAN Summit would be the primary focus of his visit. It would also give him an opportunity to hold bilateral and regional meetings.“This summit, ASEAN, is our primary way of engaging the region. We’re committed to it,” Rubio told report…

Seoul, July 20 (IANS) The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan will meet in Manila this week to discuss coordination on North Korea and enhance three-way economic and security cooperation, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Monday. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Wednesday on the sidelines of a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related mini…