Key Issues Raised at the East Asia Summit (EAS) by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

Amid pressures from the US to halt its Russian oil purchases, S Jaishankar highlighted several global trade and geopolitical concerns at the EAS in Kuala Lumpur.

Global Energy Trade

• Constricted Trade: Jaishankar lamented the increasingly restricted nature of global energy trade, leading to market distortions and unreliable supply chains.
• Western Double Standards: He criticized the selective application of principles concerning Russian crude imports by the West.
• US Tariffs: Criticized the US's additional 25% tariff on Indian products, which he described as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

Supply Chains and Market Access

Jaishankar expressed concerns about the reliability of supply chains and access to critical minerals, pointing to intense global competition for natural resources.

US-India Bilateral Relations

• Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing bilateral ties and India's Russian oil imports.
• The US's recent sanctions on Russian oil exporters Rosneft and Lukoil could deter Indian refiners from purchasing Russian crude.

Global Geopolitical Landscape

• Multipolarity: Emphasized the shift towards a multipolar world, underscoring the need for global conversations on technology, competitiveness, and connectivity.
• Conflict Impact: Noted the humanitarian and trade repercussions of conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine.
• Terrorism: Highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the necessity for zero tolerance.

Maritime Cooperation

Reaffirmed India's support for EAS's future agenda, highlighting plans for enhanced maritime cooperation and announcing 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.

Regional Diplomacy

• Jaishankar held discussions with leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Malaysia on regional issues.