Daijiworld Media Network - Manila

Manila, Jun 10: India has underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and cooperative engagement in addressing global and regional security challenges at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials’ Meeting held in Manila, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Leading the Indian delegation, Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon participated in the meeting on June 9, where discussions focused on evolving geopolitical developments and collective efforts to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement shared on X that India highlighted the continued relevance of the ARF as a key multilateral platform for addressing contemporary security concerns. The forum, he noted, plays a vital role in encouraging dialogue and diplomacy among member states.

Deliberations during the meeting covered regional and global security dynamics, with participating nations emphasizing the need to uphold a rules-based international order, particularly in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

The ASEAN Regional Forum, established in 1993, serves as a major platform for security dialogue between ASEAN member states and their international partners. It operates through a three-stage process that includes confidence-building measures, preventive diplomacy, and the development of conflict resolution approaches.

The forum currently includes 27 members comprising all 10 ASEAN nations, along with dialogue partners such as India, China, Japan, the United States, the European Union, Russia, Australia, and others, as well as additional participants including Bangladesh, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, North Korea, and Papua New Guinea.

India’s participation reflects its continued engagement in regional multilateral platforms aimed at strengthening cooperation and ensuring stability in the broader Indo-Pacific region amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics.