EAM Jaishankar at ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit: Zero Tolerance for Terrorism
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Security
Why in news
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit meetings in Manila, Philippines on July 23, 2026. He emphasized India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and highlighted contributions to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Background
The ARF is a 27-member regional security platform centered around ASEAN, including China, EU, Russia, and the US. It focuses on confidence-building and preventive diplomacy. India has been actively engaging with ASEAN through various mechanisms like ADMM+ and EAS.
Key facts
Jaishankar attended ARF and East Asia Summit meetings in Manila, Philippines.
He stressed zero tolerance for terrorism, stating acts of terrorism will have consequences.
India co-chairs the Experts Working Group with Malaysia in ADMM+ on counter-terrorism best practices.
He highlighted the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram and Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative.
Indian forces deployed from north Arabian Sea to western Pacific contribute to counter piracy, trafficking, and narcotics trade.
Jaishankar called attacks on maritime shipping and civilian infrastructure 'unacceptable'.
On South China Sea, he called for a substantive, effective, legally binding Code of Conduct compliant with UNCLOS 1982.
He urged the world community to be on guard against threats to maritime commerce.
ARF includes ASEAN members, China, EU, Russia, and the US.
Prelims pointers
- ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) – 27 members, security platform
- East Asia Summit (EAS)
- ADMM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus)
- UNCLOS 1982
- Information Fusion Centre – Gurugram
- Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative
- Manila, Philippines – venue of ARF meeting
Mains angles
- India's role in Indo-Pacific security architecture
- Counter-terrorism cooperation with ASEAN
- Maritime security challenges and India's contributions
- South China Sea dispute and Code of Conduct
- India's Act East Policy and ASEAN centrality