Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with PNG, Brunei FMs at ARF Manila
Synopsis
At the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, EAM Jaishankar packed a single day with five bilateral meetings — PNG, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the EU's Kaja Kallas. The breadth signals India's deliberate Indo-Pacific push: maritime security for Pacific Island nations via FIPIC, emerging-tech cooperation with Brunei, and neighbourhood diplomacy with South Asian neighbours — all in one diplomatic sprint.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with five foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila on 23 July .
With Papua New Guinea FM Justin W.
Tkatchenko , discussions covered FIPIC cooperation, development priorities, and maritime security of Pacific Island nations.
With Brunei FM Prince Abdul Mateen , both sides agreed to expand cooperation in AI, drones, and digital technologies under India's Act East Policy .
Jaishankar also met Sri Lanka's FM Vijitha Herath and Bangladesh's FM Khalilur Rahman on the ARF sidelines.
A brief meeting with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas rounded out the day's diplomatic engagements.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 23 July held a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from Papua New Guinea and Brunei on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, with discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation, maritime security, and emerging technologies.
India-PNG: Pacific Partnership and Maritime Security
During his meeting with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin W. Tkatchenko, Jaishankar underscored India's readiness to support the development priorities and maritime security of Pacific Island nations. The two leaders also discussed deepening bilateral ties through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar wrote: 'Pleasure to meet FM Justin W. Tkatchenko of Papua New Guinea in Manila. Spoke about bilateral cooperation including through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). India stands ready to partner with the Pacific Island Countries for their development and capacity building priorities, while supporting their maritime security.'
India-Brunei: AI, Drones, and Act East Policy
Jaishankar also met Brunei's Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen, during which both sides explored expanding cooperation in emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, drones, and digital infrastructure. The two sides agreed to advance the bilateral partnership under India's Act East Policy and deepen engagement through ASEAN.
In his post on X, Jaishankar noted: 'A warm meeting with FM Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei. Congratulated him on assuming his current responsibilities. Conveyed that rapidly changing technology, including AI, drones, digital, has opened new vistas of engagement. Also agreed to advance bilateral agenda in line with India's Act East Policy and further strengthen our multilateral engagements under ASEAN.'
South Asian Engagements: Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on the sidelines of the ARF. While specific agenda items were not detailed publicly, the meetings reflect India's continued diplomatic outreach to its immediate neighbourhood amid a busy multilateral calendar.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas
Jaishankar also held talks with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas. The brief engagement signals continued India-EU diplomatic momentum, even as both sides navigate complex geopolitical alignments globally.
Significance of the ARF Sidelines
The flurry of bilateral meetings at the Manila ARF underscores India's intensifying diplomatic footprint across the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia. Notably, Jaishankar's engagement with Pacific Island nations through FIPIC and his Act East Policy push with Brunei reflect a consistent strategic thread — expanding India's presence beyond South Asia into the broader maritime domain. This is the latest in a series of high-tempo multilateral engagements by the EAM in 2025, reinforcing India's positioning as a key partner across diverse regional groupings.
Point of View
Southeast Asia, and the EU simultaneously. The emphasis on AI and drones with Brunei is particularly telling: India is using technology cooperation as a new currency of diplomatic influence in the region, complementing its traditional development-aid model with Pacific Island nations through FIPIC. Whether these meetings translate into concrete deliverables — or remain goodwill exchanges — will be the real test of India's Act East ambitions.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EAM Jaishankar discuss with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister at ARF Manila?
Jaishankar met Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin W. Tkatchenko in Manila on 23 July and discussed bilateral cooperation through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), along with India's support for Pacific Island nations' development priorities and maritime security.
What is FIPIC and why is it significant?
The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is a multilateral platform that groups India with 14 Pacific Island nations to advance development, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. It is a key pillar of India's outreach beyond South Asia into the broader Indo-Pacific.
What did Jaishankar and Brunei's FM agree on?
Jaishankar and Brunei's Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen agreed to expand cooperation in emerging technologies — specifically AI, drones, and digital infrastructure — and to advance their bilateral agenda under India's Act East Policy while deepening ASEAN multilateral engagement.
Who else did Jaishankar meet at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila?
Besides PNG and Brunei, Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on the sidelines of the ARF in Manila on 23 July.
What is India's Act East Policy and how does it relate to these meetings?
India's Act East Policy is a strategic framework aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, and security ties with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar's meetings with Brunei and Pacific Island nations at Manila directly advance this policy by deepening bilateral and multilateral engagement in the region.
