Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila on Thursday, 23 July 2026, delivering a wide-ranging statement covering maritime security, the South China Sea, the West Asia conflict, Myanmar, cyber threats, and India's commitment to ASEAN centrality and a free Indo-Pacific.

Context

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Jaishankar opened by characterising the current global order as 'uncertain and volatile,' where interdependence and common interests coexist with competitiveness and rivalries. He noted that 'structural changes being created by new capabilities, exposure and relationships' are reshaping the international landscape, with politics and security increasingly overriding economics and efficiency.

India announced it will host two EAS activities later this year: the 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Kochi, and an EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, the ancient Harappan port city in Gujarat. The choice of Lothal underscores India's assertion of deep historical maritime roots in the Indo-Pacific.

Policy Backdrop

India has been a member of the East Asia Summit since its founding in 2005, and the forum has served as a key platform for New Delhi's Act East Policy — upgraded in 2014 — which prioritises maritime security, connectivity, and engagement with ASEAN-led architecture. Dr. Jaishankar's remarks in Manila are consistent with a long-standing pattern of India advocating rules-based order and ASEAN centrality at successive EAS meetings.

On the South China Sea, India reiterated its support 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.' The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea forms the bedrock of India's Indo-Pacific legal framework. On West Asia, India called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the Gulf conflict, stressing that 'international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded' and that 'under no circumstances can attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping or infrastructure be countenanced.'

Affirming a longstanding position, Dr. Jaishankar stated that India 'believes that a two-state solution can lead to a lasting and durable peace,' and noted that India has made 'notable relief and rehabilitation contributions' and is 'a top emerging donor of UNRWA.'

Stakeholders and Impact

Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the vulnerability of the Global South, warning that 'the world economy is today reeling under the impact of multiple conflicts' and that 'energy, food and health security cannot be taken for granted.' This framing positions India as a spokesperson for developing nations within the EAS framework.

On Myanmar, India reiterated its stand for 'finding a political solution' while continuing to support ASEAN efforts — a careful balance that reflects India's border and connectivity interests alongside its multilateral commitments. On cyber threats, Dr. Jaishankar demanded 'serious collective action against cyber scam centres, which have victimised Indian nationals in significant numbers,' signalling a domestic security dimension to India's regional diplomacy.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Kochi and the EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, both scheduled for later in 2026, which will test India's capacity to shape the EAS agenda as a host. Progress on South China Sea CoC negotiations — and whether member states heed the collective call on cyber scam networks — will be the key diplomatic metrics emerging from Manila.

India's ten-point intervention at the 21st EAS consolidates its positioning as an active, rule-setting stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific, at a moment when the regional order faces compounding pressures from geopolitical rivalry, economic disruption, and non-traditional security threats.