S. Jaishankar Condemns Maritime Attacks at 21st East Asia Summit

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for strict adherence to international maritime law and condemned attacks on seafarers, commercial shipping, and critical infrastructure during the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila. He stated that such attacks cannot be countenanced under any circumstances, particularly as conflicts in the Gulf and Middle East impact global energy, food, and health security.

Jaishankar advocated for a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in West Asia and reaffirmed India's role as a prominent donor to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency. On regional security, he supported ASEAN centrality, a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar, and a legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea compliant with the 1982 UNCLOS. He also urged coordinated global action to dismantle transnational cyber scam networks targeting Indian citizens.

To strengthen maritime ties, India will host the 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Kochi and the EAS Maritime Heritage Festival in Lothal. On the sidelines of the summit, Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with leaders from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Oman, and the Philippines. His meeting with President Bongbong Marcos focused on the India-Philippines Plan of Action 2025-2029.