External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the strategic importance of collaboration between India and ASEAN, highlighting that the demographics and emerging demands of both could mutually support and become key drivers of the global economy. Dr Jaishankar was speaking at the 8th Roundtable of ASEAN-India Network of Think-Tanks in Singapore today. He highlighted that cooperation between India and ASEAN countries can be crucial in addressing contemporary challenges.
Dr. Jaishankar acknowledged the political complexities in the shared regions of India and ASEAN that need to be addressed collectively. Pointing to Myanmar as a significant example, he noted that the interests and perspectives of countries in close proximity will always differ, adding that they don’t have the luxury of distance or time.
Dr. Jaishankar further emphasized the need for new connectivity initiatives. He highlighted India’s major commitments in areas such as the Trilateral Highway project to the east, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Dr. Jaishankar stressed that understanding the implications of these projects is key to leveraging future opportunities. He noted that digital and energy connectivity have also been the subjects of recent conversations, especially between India and Singapore.
The Minister said, among the areas of cooperation, India and ASEAN are also targeting new domains and technologies that hold potential. Dr. Jaishankar stressed that they are today more focused on realizing the value of Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia. He added that both India and ASEAN are preparing for an era of electric mobility, green shipping, and green steel.
The event was jointly organised by the ASEAN-India Centre at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries and the ASEAN Studies Centre of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Earlier in the day, the External Affairs Minister began his Singapore visit by meeting country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to take forward contemporary bilateral partnership, with a focus on areas like industrial parks, innovation and semiconductors. Dr Jaishankar reached Singapore on the second leg of his two-nation tour after concluding his visit to Australia.
During his day-long visit, the Minister will also meet the top leadership of Singapore to review the close partnership between the two countries and explore avenues to further enhance the bilateral relationship.
The External Affairs Ministry said, Dr Jaishankar’s visit builds upon the positive momentum of recent high-level exchanges and reaffirms the close and longstanding relations between Singapore and India. The two countries have a close bilateral relationship. Singapore has played an important role in reconnecting India to the countries of Southeast Asia since the inception of the Look East Policy in the early 1990s. The Indian community has a significant presence in Singapore and constitutes about 9.2 per cent of the total population of the country.
