India underscored its “zero tolerance” approach towards tackling terrorism at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ARF) Regional Forum in the Philippines on Thursday, where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said there should be no doubt that “acts of terrorism will have consequences”.
Jaishankar acknowledged the importance of the ASEAN Regional Forum, a 27-member ASEAN-centric regional security platform, in discussing political and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in these complex times.
“There should be zero tolerance for terrorism. There should be no doubt that terrorist acts will have consequences,” Jaishankar said on social media after addressing the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila.
“We must prioritize strangling the financial resources that fuel it [terrorism]. India co-chairs the Environmental Working Group [experts working group] With Malaysia in ADMM+ [Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus]“We took the lead in producing a compendium of best practices,” he said.
The ASEAN Regional Forum, which includes member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, the European Union, Russia and the United States, works to enhance consultation on political and security issues, and contributes to building confidence and preventive diplomacy in the region.
In the field of maritime security, Jaishankar said the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Center in Gurugram, the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative and the deployment of Indian forces from the North Arabian Sea to the Western Pacific are making valuable contributions to combating piracy, trafficking, drug trade and securing maritime trade.
Against the backdrop of attacks on commercial ships in conflicts between Russia, Ukraine and West Asia, Jaishankar said such attacks on shipping and civilian infrastructure were “unacceptable”, and trade through international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded.
“Regarding the South China Sea, we stressed that we are looking for an objective, effective and legally binding agreement [Code of Conduct] “It is fully compatible with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which is without prejudice to the legitimate rights of all users,” he said.
He stressed the need for the international community to be on alert against those who undermine non-proliferation and disarmament, and expressed support for a responsible, human-centered approach to artificial intelligence and deepening cooperation on cybercrime and other issues.
Jaishankar said the Manila Action Plan and its five pillars are in line with India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific region. “India encourages a collaborative approach to disaster relief, sharing best practices, developing common standard operating procedures and conducting real-time and tabletop exercises,” he said.
India also supports the Alliance for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, deploys field hospitals, provides search and rescue support, and sends relief materials and medical supplies during natural disasters.
Jaishankar also participated in the East Asia Summit, which brings together member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and eight other countries such as India, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, and said that “interdependence and common interests coexist with competitiveness and rivalries” in an uncertain and volatile global order.
“There are structural changes being created through new capabilities, exposures and relationships; politics and security increasingly overshadow economics and efficiency, while the tendency to take risks and push boundaries is increasing,” he said. He added that at a time when the global economy is suffering under the influence of multiple conflicts, energy, food and health security cannot be taken for granted.
Jaishankar called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict in West Asia and made clear that attacks on sailors, civilian ships or infrastructure cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. He also noted that India is one of the largest emerging donors to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and believes that “a two-state solution can lead to lasting and lasting peace.”
India will host two East Asia Society activities this year – the East Asia Summit on Maritime Security Cooperation in Kochi and the East Asia Society Maritime Heritage Festival in Lothal.
