Acts of terror will have consequences: S Jaishankar at ASEAN Regional Forum

Manila: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called for zero tolerance against terrorism, warning that acts of terrorism "will have consequences".

Jaishankar was speaking at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in the Philippine capital Manila, where he recognised the forum's importance for discussing political and security issues in the Indo-Pacific.

"There must be zero tolerance for terrorism. Nor should there be any doubt that acts of terrorism will have consequences," Jaishankar said in a social media post, highlighting points of his address.


He called for prioritising choking the financial resources that fuel terrorism. "India co-chairs the EWG (Experts Working Group) with Malaysia in ADMM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus), taking the lead in producing a compendium of best practices," he said.

Jaishankar underscored that attacks on maritime shipping and civilian infrastructure are "unacceptable", and commerce through international waterways should remain "safe and unimpeded".

He also stressed the need for the international community to be on guard against those who undermine non-proliferation and disarmament.

The minister welcomed the Manila Plan of Action, which will serve as the guiding framework for the ARF's activities over the coming decade, and highlighted that its five pillars are aligned with India's approach to the Indo-Pacific.

Highlighting India's collaborative approach to disaster relief, Jaishankar said it shares best practices, develops common standard operating procedures and undertakes real-time and tabletop exercises.

He also stressed that India advocates for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, regularly deploys field hospitals, provides search and rescue, sends relief materials and medical supplies.

Jaishankar said that recent rehabilitation undertaken by India ranges from the cyclone in Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Jamaica to earthquakes in Myanmar, Venezuela and Afghanistan.

On maritime security, he shared that initiatives like the Information Fusion Centre in India, the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative of the Quad, and deployment of Indian forces from the North Arabian Sea to the Western Pacific are making a "valuable contribution to counter piracy, trafficking and narcotics trade as well as secure maritime commerce".

He also advocated for a responsible and human-centric approach to AI and deeper cooperation on cybercrimes and other issues.

Commenting on the South China Sea, he underlined that India looks forward to a "substantive, effective and legally binding code of conduct, fully compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, adopted in 1982, which "does not prejudice the legitimate rights of all users".

Jaishankar is in Manila to participate in high-level discussions under the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Quad grouping.

ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.