Choke terror funding, keep international shipping lanes safe: Jaishankar at Asean Regional Forum

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called for choking the financial networks that sustain terrorism and ensuring that international shipping lanes remain safe and open, as he addressed the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila.

His remarks came against the backdrop of recent terror attacks targeting India and growing threats to commercial shipping amid conflicts in West Asia and Europe.

Stressing that there should be "zero tolerance" for terrorism, Jaishankar said acts of terror must carry consequences and urged countries to prioritise cutting off the financial resources that fuel extremist activities.

He also underlined that attacks on maritime shipping and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable, saying commerce through international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded.

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India highlights urgency of tackling terror financing

Jaishankar's call came a day after a Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable deployed for Amarnath Yatra security was killed in a terrorist attack in Anantnag. The incident also follows last year's deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 civilians lost their lives, prompting India to intensify its diplomatic campaign against terrorism and its financial ecosystem.

"There must be zero tolerance for terrorism. Nor should there be any doubt that acts of terrorism will have consequences. We should prioritise choking the financial resources that fuel it," Jaishankar said.

He also noted that India, along with Malaysia, co-chairs the Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism under the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework and is leading efforts to prepare a compendium of best practices for tackling terrorism.

Safe shipping lanes key to global stability

Jaishankar also devoted significant attention to maritime security, highlighting India's growing role in safeguarding sea lanes across the Indo-Pacific.

He said the Information Fusion Centre in India, the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative and the deployment of Indian naval assets from the North Arabian Sea to the Western Pacific are contributing to efforts against piracy, trafficking and narcotics trade while protecting maritime commerce.

His remarks come as commercial shipping has increasingly become a target during recent conflicts, including the US-Iran confrontation and the Russia-Ukraine war. Several Indian seafarers have lost their lives in attacks on merchant vessels in recent months.

Three Indians were killed during an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Iran conflict, while four Indian crew members died in a Russian strike on a ship in the Black Sea earlier this week. India subsequently raised the matter with Russia, underscoring the need to protect civilian shipping.

Broader Indo-Pacific agenda

Beyond terrorism and maritime security, Jaishankar welcomed the Manila Plan of Action, saying its five pillars align with India's Indo-Pacific vision.

He highlighted India's contributions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including deployment of field hospitals, search-and-rescue teams and relief supplies for countries affected by natural disasters, ranging from Sri Lanka and the Philippines to Myanmar and Afghanistan.

The external affairs minister also called for vigilance against threats to the global non-proliferation regime, advocated a responsible and human-centric approach to artificial intelligence, urged deeper cooperation against cybercrime, and reiterated India's support for a substantive, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that is fully compliant with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.