Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 22nd ASEAN-India summit in Malaysia virtually, saying the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides had progressed steadily even in this era of uncertainties and emerged as a “robust foundation” for global stability and growth. Underscoring the significance of India’s ties with the southeast Asian bloc, Modi said that “the 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN.”
“We are companions in the Global South. We are not only commercial partners but also cultural partners. ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy. India has always fully supported ASEAN’s centrality Cooperation.” With Modi skipping the ASEAN and East Asia summit meetings in Kuala Lumpur, India was represented by external affairs minister S Jaishankar at the meeting. Modi also highlighted that terrorism is a serious challenge to global peace and security, and stressed the importance of unity in the fight against it. The theme of this year’s ASEAN summit is Inclusivity and Sustainability. “This theme is clearly reflected in our joint efforts, whether it is digital inclusion or ensuring food security and resilient supply chains amid current global challenges. India fully supports these priorities and is committed to advancing them together,” said Modi.
US applying double standard on Russian oil: Jaishankar
Jaishankar, who delivered India’s statement at the summit after meeting his US counterpart Marco Rubio, sought an early end to conflicts as he stressed how in current circumstances energy flows and food security were being undermined. He said India’s right of defence against terror can never be compromised. He said terrorism poses a continuous and corrosive threat and the world must display zero tolerance.
During his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar flagged what the Indian govt sees as US and Europe’s double standards in pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil. He said energy trade is increasingly constricted, with resulting market distortions, and “principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practised.”
The minister made the point about energy trade while talking about growing concerns over reliability of supply chains and access to markets in complicated times. He said technology advancement had become very competitive and the quest for natural resources even more so. Jaishankar emphasised that change has a life of its own and the world will inevitably respond to new circumstances.