Jaishankar Meets Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi Counterparts at ARF in Manila

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the foreign ministers of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, as India continued an intensive round of diplomatic engagements with regional and global partners during the ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings.

Bilateral meetings with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and EU

Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during the ARF meeting in the Philippine capital.

Sharing details of the engagements on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Glad to meet FM Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka and FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh during the ARF meeting Manila, Philippines."

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had earlier outlined the purpose of his visit, saying it was aimed at reinforcing Colombo's engagement with ASEAN and the ARF.

In a post on X, Herath said, "Today (22), I arrived in Manila, Philippines, to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). This visit reaffirms Sri Lanka's commitment to deepening constructive engagement with the ARF and ASEAN Member States. On the sidelines of the ARF related meetings, I will also hold bilateral meetings with my counterparts from the participating countries."

Jaishankar also met European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

Posting about the interaction, he said, "Good to catch up with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas in Manila, Philippines."

Wide-ranging diplomatic engagements in Manila

Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Manila to participate in the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

On Wednesday, he held talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the priorities set by the prime ministers of both countries.

He also met Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan over lunch, where the two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments.

During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar raised India's concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers following the attack on commercial vessel MV Golden Leo, in which four Indian nationals were killed.

After the meeting, Jaishankar posted, "An in-depth review of our bilateral relations with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Reiterated our strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region."

The two sides also reviewed cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, science and technology, mobility, as well as developments related to the Ukraine conflict and the Gulf.

Focus on China, US, Quad and Indo-Pacific cooperation

Jaishankar also held discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, stressing that a stable India-China relationship founded on "mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity" could contribute to both a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world.

He reiterated that peace and tranquillity along the border remain essential for normal bilateral relations while welcoming recent progress, including the resumption of direct flights, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and border trade. He also raised issues relating to fair market access, trade balance and supply chain predictability.

The External Affairs Minister also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with discussions covering trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and regional and multilateral issues under the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The meeting took place alongside the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where India, the United States, Japan and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and support for ASEAN centrality.

Jaishankar also met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro. Discussions with Wong focused on implementing the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Australia and preparations for upcoming Quad engagements.

His meeting with Lazaro centred on strengthening the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, particularly in trade and investment, education, defence and security, maritime cooperation, capacity building, and developments in the Indo-Pacific.

(With inputs from ANI)