Discussed strengthening relations and priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, negotiated a free trade agreement with the leader of Norway.
Vientiane: Apna Punjab Media: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today met his counterparts M Manalo of the Philippines and Espen Barth Ade of Norway on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting. Meanwhile, they discussed further strengthening bilateral relations and priorities of the Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with Timor Leste’s Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophia. Jaishankar and all other leaders Sam is currently in Vientiane, the capital of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) to participate in the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) under the ASEAN framework.
Jaishankar’s talks with his Southeast Asian counterparts mainly focused on bilateral relations and the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region, while he discussed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Norwegian leader. After the meeting with Norway’s Foreign Minister, Jaishankar said, “Today’s meeting with Espen Barth Ade was good. India and Norway’s partnership in clean energy and trade will continue. We are committed to implementing the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) for the benefit of both countries. Meanwhile, the geopolitical situation was also discussed. Jaishankar said in a post on social media platform ‘X’ that he was happy to meet his friend Enrique A. Manalo from the Philippines.
