External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently engaged in a series of bilateral meetings in Bangkok with his counterparts from various countries, including Thailand, New Zealand, Japan, and the European Union. This trip to the Thai capital is part of his participation in several significant conferences, such as the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Ministerial Meeting.
In his meetings, Jaishankar focused on critical issues, mainly concerning the Indo-Pacific region and maritime partnerships. He had an initial meeting with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, where they discussed expanding maritime cooperation, strengthening BIMSTEC ties, and enhancing partnerships in the ACMECS initiative. This demonstrates India’s commitment to regional collaboration and maintaining strategic alliances within Southeast Asia.
Following his discussion with Thailand, Jaishankar met with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters. Their talks addressed shared interests in promoting a collaborative Indo-Pacific strategy, with both parties agreeing on the necessity to elevate economic and political relationships between India and New Zealand.
His meeting with Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, highlighted the significance of India-EU relations. Jaishankar commended Mogherini for her personal efforts in enhancing diplomatic ties, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation in various global issues.
Additionally, he held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono, continuing dialogues initiated during the G20 meeting in Osaka. Their exchange focused on a broad spectrum of issues of mutual concern, indicating India’s proactive approach in fostering significant international partnerships.
Overall, these meetings underscore India’s strategic diplomatic engagements in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on enhancing maritime security, economic cooperation, and strengthening alliances with key partners. Jaishankar’s visit reaffirms India’s role as an active participant in regional dialogue and cooperation initiatives.
