India and ASEAN must utilise the changing global situation to their advantage, says EAM Jaishankar
Maintaining that the world was headed for re-globalisation and not de-globalisation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has highlighted the opportunities that can be tapped to take the ASEAN-India partnership to the next level.

Delivering the keynote address at the 8th Roundtable of ASEAN - India Network of Think - Tanks in Singapore on Friday (November 8, 2024), he also put forth India’s commitment to collaborative connectivity and resilient supply chains even as he advocated greater mobility within the region to tap the potential of the emerging knowledge economy and the advancements in AI.


“Whether it is challenges or indeed opportunities, the world today is clearly headed for re-globalization, not de-globalization. That is the transition that we – ASEAN and India – separately and together, have to navigate,” EAM Jaishankar pointed out in his address. 

According to him, India and ASEAN had built up “a solid track record of cooperation” in the last three decades. “To take it to the next level, however, we must utilise the changing global situation to our advantage, rather than bemoan it as a departure from a norm with which we were all so comfortable,” he stated in his address.

Sharing key points from his address in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), EAM Jaishankar highlighted the imperative of resilient supply chains, trusted partners and diversified production in addition to the emerging knowledge economy and advancement of AI necessitating greater human and enterprise mobility within the region. 

He also put forth India’s commitment to collaborative connectivity spanning Digital, Energy and Highways. At the same time, he noted how India’s Global Capability Centres, Industrial Parks and skilling and education endeavours open new avenues for deeper ASEAN partnership.

According to EAM Jaishankar, the deep cultural and civilisation connect and four decades of fruitful cooperation lay a strong foundation for a deeper partnership. “As India’s engagement with Indo - Pacific and Quad deepens, ASEAN centrality and cohesion will continue to be a guiding principle,” he stated.

While in Singapore, EAM Jaishankar met Singapore Prime Minister and FInance Minister Lawrence Wong for what he described as a “fruitful discussion” on advancing the India-Singapore partnership. “Delighted to meet PM & Finance Minister @LawrenceWongST today in Singapore. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. A fruitful discussion on advancing our technology, skilling and industrial partnership. Also spoke about our engagement in regional forums,” he said on X.

He also called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and discussed the global political and economic scenario, and its implications for India and Singapore.

Earlier, in his meeting with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, he appreciated the progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and shared perspectives on regional and global developments. In a meeting with Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, he shared perspectives on the Indo - Pacific security situation and bilateral defence cooperation.

EAM Jaishankar arrived in Singapore after a productive five-day visit to Australia, where he participated in a series of high-level interactions aimed at further deepening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During his visit, EAM Jaishankar called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; he also met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Leader of Opposition Peter Dutton.

A high point of the visit was the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) which EAM Jaishankar co-chaired with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on November 5, 2024 in Canberra, where both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political and strategic, defence and security, trade and investments, education and mobility.