Jaishankar Advocates ‘Multi-Polar World’ in Talks with Wang Yi

MANILA: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of high-stakes diplomatic engagements in the Philippine capital on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. In pivotal bilateral discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, alongside a joint meeting with Quad counterparts, India reinforced its vision for regional stability, supply chain predictability, and maritime safety.

India-China Ties: “Mutual Respect and Border Tranquillity”

Meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, S. Jaishankar emphasized that a stable relationship between the two Asian giants is crucial for global and regional balance.

“We believe that a stable and cooperative relationship can best be developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. Such a relationship can make a valuable contribution to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world.” — S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India

Highlighting the recent momentum following Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping’s bilateral in Kazan—where both leaders agreed that “differences should not become disputes”—Jaishankar welcomed recent normalization steps, including:

• Resumption of direct commercial flights and updates to the visa regime.
• The restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and border trade.
• Key Concerns Raised: Jaishankar explicitly underscored that peace and tranquillity in border areas remain a non-negotiable prerequisite for full normalization, while also pressing for fair market access and supply chain predictability.

Quad Coalition Reaffirms Free & Open Indo-Pacific

Following the India-China meeting, Foreign Ministers of the Quad grouping—comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—convened to align their strategies on regional security.

In a joint statement issued alongside ASEAN partners, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to:

• Strengthening a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality.
• Ensuring long-term maritime stability and rule-based order in the region.

India-Russia Bilateral: Strong Concern Over Seafarers’ Safety

In a separate bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar conducted an in-depth review of the India-Russia partnership, spanning trade, energy, connectivity, science, and mobility.

However, the meeting carried heightened significance following a recent Russian projectile strike in the Black Sea that resulted in the tragic deaths of four Indian seafarers. Jaishankar formally conveyed India’s “strong concern” regarding the safety and security of Indian maritime personnel operating in conflict zones.