EAM flags concerns on constricted energy trade

Flagging concerns over constricted energy trade, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the world must adapt to changing realities in technology, trade and connectivity instead of applying principles selectively.

Delivering India’s statement at the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Jaishankar said the world today faced “complicated times” marked by fractured supply chains, competitive technology races, resource rivalries and constricted energy trade that had led to “market distortions”.

“Principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practised,” he said, warning that selective approaches to global challenges eroded trust and cooperation.

Jaishankar underscored that the forces of change — from digital transformation to multipolarity — were “here to stay and to grow”.

“At the end of the day, the realities of technology, competitiveness, market size, digitisation, connectivity, talent and mobility cannot be ignored,” he noted, urging the global community to engage in “serious conversations” on managing these shifts.

Touching on ongoing conflicts, the minister said the wars in Gaza and Ukraine continued to have significant repercussions near and far, disrupting trade and threatening energy security. “India welcomes the Gaza peace plan and seeks an early end to the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.

Talks ties with Rubio

The EAM met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday and said he “appreciated the discussion on bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues”, underscoring the growing engagement between India and the US amid evolving Indo-Pacific dynamics.

He also warned against the global spread of terrorism, calling it a “continuous and corrosive threat” that must be met with “zero tolerance”. “Our right of defence against terrorism can never be compromised,” he asserted.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to the ASEAN-led regional architecture, Jaishankar highlighted New Delhi’s growing engagement with the EAS framework. He cited India’s recent hosting of the EAS Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Energy Efficiency Policies and a conclave of higher educational institutions, while announcing a string of new initiatives.

Among them, Jaishankar proposed an EAS Maritime Heritage Festival to be held at the ancient port city of Lothal, Gujarat, and said India would host the 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation. He also recalled that 2026 would be observed as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, reflecting the region’s shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Referring to India’s neighbourhood, he said New Delhi had acted as a “first responder” after the March earthquake in Myanmar, and that work on the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway continued to make headway. He also flagged concerns over cyber scam centres in the region that have “entrapped Indian nationals”.

“India values the EAS’s contribution to peace, progress and prosperity,” Jaishankar said, adding that New Delhi looked forward to “positive outcomes” from the Kuala Lumpur meeting, marking the forum’s 20th anniversary.