External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Manila, Philippines, on July 22 and 23 to participate in a series of high-level meetings under the ASEAN framework, underscoring India’s continued engagement with Southeast Asia under its Act East Policy.
During the two-day visit, EAM Jaishankar will attend Foreign Ministers’ meetings of the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), where regional cooperation, connectivity, security and strategic issues are expected to feature prominently.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and comes at a significant time, with 2026 designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The designation is expected to provide fresh momentum to collaboration in maritime security, connectivity, the blue economy and other areas of shared interest.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings, EAM Jaishankar will also participate in a Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the United States. The discussions are expected to focus on regional and global developments, as well as cooperation among the four countries in promoting a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
The External Affairs Minister is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating countries to review existing partnerships and explore opportunities for expanding cooperation across sectors.
