External Affair Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said the world must display zero tolerance against terrorism, emphasising that the menace remains one of the biggest threats to global peace and stability. He said this while addressing the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia today. Mr Jaishankar said that the right of defence against terrorism can never be compromised, and urged the global community to to act collectively against it.

Mr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to furthering maritime cooperation, in line with the Association of South-East Asian Nations, ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and also shared commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He further announced that the year 2026 will be observed as the ASEAN-India year of maritime cooperation.

Referring to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Dr. Jaishankar welcomed the Gaza peace plan and reiterated India’s call for an early end to hostilities in Ukraine. Speaking on regional connectivity, the External Affairs Minister said that India had acted as a “first responder” during earthquake in Myanmar, in March this year and also reaffirmed commitment to the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project. Concluding his statement, Dr. Jaishankar said that India values the East Asia Summit as a vital platform for promoting peace, progress and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.