Manila (Philippines), 22 July (H.S.): Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said that energy, food and health security can no longer be taken for granted, emphasising the need for stronger cooperation between India and ASEAN nations to address emerging global challenges.

Jaishankar made the remarks while addressing the ASEAN-India Post Ministerial Conference held in Manila. He also shared a video of his opening remarks on social media platform X.

“Energy, food and health security are areas that we can no longer take for granted. India and ASEAN remain optimistic about the opportunities ahead and the future possibilities of our partnership,” Jaishankar said.

Highlighting the importance of maritime cooperation, the External Affairs Minister said that all countries are heavily dependent on maritime trade, which could become a matter of concern if global rules and stability are not maintained.

He stressed the need to follow international laws and norms in this regard. Jaishankar noted that 2026 has been designated as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation”, which serves as a reminder of the steps both sides can take to build a more stable and secure future.

He said that the current India-ASEAN agenda covers a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, movement of people, talent development, technology, digital cooperation, artificial intelligence, green initiatives, sustainability and connectivity.

The External Affairs Minister is visiting Manila, the capital of the Philippines, to participate in ministerial-level meetings under the ASEAN framework.

The Philippines has assumed the ASEAN chairmanship for 2026, with the grouping focusing on strengthening regional cooperation and addressing shared challenges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar