Indonesia pushes for stronger ASEAN-India cooperation for regional resilience

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasised the importance of strengthening regional cooperation during the ASEAN–India Post Ministerial Conference in Manila, Philippines. He seized the momentum of the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation to promote maritime collaboration as a foundation for regional resilience, according to a Foreign Ministry release on Wednesday. Sugiono stressed the need for concrete steps, ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime safety, and coast guard training, to building port resilience to ensure optimal operations amid global supply chain threats. He also highlighted strengthening connectivity in the Indian Ocean through inter-port cooperation, joint search and rescue operations, and the development of a blue economy, all grounded in international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. The Indonesian Foreign Minister further underscored the potential of Sabang as a strategic gateway between ASEAN and India, located less than 200 kilometres from the Andaman Islands. This position, he noted, opens opportunities for trade, cruise tourism, and people-to-people ties. Beyond the maritime sector, Sugiono stressed the need for preparedness against climate and geopolitical shocks through food and energy security. Indonesia proposed a joint ASEAN–India platform to monitor food and energy reserves in real time. In the health sector, Indonesia pushed for the establishment of an ASEAN–India Health Resilience Track to strengthen collaboration in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, health worker training, and pandemic preparedness. Indonesia also supports accelerating the conclusion of the Review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make trade rules simpler, more efficient, and mutually beneficial. In his closing remarks, the Foreign Minister invited all countries to ensure that the ASEAN–India Plan of Action 2026–2030 delivers a resilient and prosperous partnership for the peoples of both regions.