External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 23 July declared attacks on merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure “unacceptable”, asserting that commerce through international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded. He was addressing the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila, one of the region’s most consequential multilateral security gatherings.

Key Statements at the ARF Meeting

Jaishankar underscored the forum’s centrality in addressing political and security challenges across the Indo-Pacific at a time of heightened global uncertainty. “Highlighted that attacks on maritime shipping and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable, and commerce through international waterways should remain safe and unimpeded,” he stated in a post on X following the meeting.

He also welcomed the Manila Plan of Action, noting that its five pillars are aligned with India’s own Indo-Pacific approach, which emphasises a collaborative framework for disaster relief, shared best practices, common standard operating procedures, and real-time as well as tabletop exercises.

India’s Maritime Security Role

Jaishankar outlined India’s active contributions to regional maritime security. “On maritime security, shared that the Information Fusion Centre in India, the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative, 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 said.

India also advocates for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, regularly deploying field hospitals, search and rescue teams, and relief and medical supplies. Jaishankar noted that India has undertaken rehabilitation efforts following the cyclone in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Jamaica, and after earthquakes in Myanmar, Venezuela, and Afghanistan.

Zero Tolerance on Terrorism and Non-Proliferation

The minister called for zero tolerance against terrorism, warning that terrorist acts “would have consequences.” He stressed the need to choke financing channels that fuel extremism, adding that India co-chairs the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia and is leading a compendium of best practices.

Jaishankar also urged the international community to remain “on guard against those who undermine non-proliferation and disarmament,” and advocated a responsible, human-centric approach to artificial intelligence alongside deeper cooperation on cybercrime.

South China Sea and the UNCLOS Framework

Reaffirming India’s position on the South China Sea, Jaishankar called for “a substantive, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) fully compliant with UNCLOS 1982 that does not prejudice the legitimate rights of all users.” His remarks came amid a fresh confrontation between the Philippines and China in the disputed waters.

The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors, claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Repeated coast guard and naval confrontations have made it a primary strategic flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific. India’s push for a legally binding CoC signals New Delhi’s intent to remain a norm-setting voice in the region, even as it stops short of directly naming Beijing.

What Comes Next

India’s posture at the ARF signals a continued deepening of its Act East policy and its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific. With maritime commerce under pressure from multiple flashpoints — including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and China-Philippines tensions — New Delhi’s multilateral engagement at forums like the ARF is likely to intensify in the months ahead.