External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar used the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila to set out India’s position on maritime security, regional stability, and conflict management. His remarks are relevant for UPSC because they connect India’s Indo-Pacific diplomacy with international law, maritime security, ASEAN centrality, and counter-terrorism.
What happened
Mr. Jaishankar said maritime channels must remain secure and free of interference. He stated that India will not accept attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping, or maritime infrastructure, and described the global situation as unstable.
He urged dialogue and diplomacy to handle the Persian Gulf crisis and called for a political solution to the civil conflict in Myanmar. He also reiterated support for a two-state solution for durable peace in the Israel–Palestine conflict.
On the South China Sea, he supported a substantive, effective, and legally binding Code of Conduct that is compliant with UNCLOS 1982 and does not undermine the rights of all users.
India also restated its preference for ASEAN centrality, regional stability, and an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Mr. Jaishankar said India will host an EAS conference on maritime security cooperation in Kochi and an EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal during the year.
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