What happen in Ukraine is a wake-up call for us in Indo-Pacific, including ASEAN and India
New Delhi, India (ANTARA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi highlighted the phenomenon of declining trust among countries that makes it difficult for the world to face global challenges in the form of the pandemic, food, energy, and financial crises.

Marsudi made the statement in the presence of ASEAN and Indian foreign ministers at the Ministerial Session of the 12th Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi, India, on Thursday evening.

She noted that the war in Ukraine “brings to light deep trust deficits”. “We should be very careful. We should prevent the virus (of trust deficit) from spreading extensively in the Indo-Pacific,” she added.


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The minister likened the trust deficit to a virus that is a barrier for countries to establish cooperation. She also stated that the factors leading to the trust deficit could easily turn into an open conflict.

"What happen in Ukraine is a wake-up call for us in Indo-Pacific, including ASEAN and India. I am pleased that for more than five decades, the ASEAN has worked hard to maintain peace and stability in the region, and we must continue to develop a strategic trust 'vaccine' to fight the 'virus' of the trust deficit," she remarked.

The minister believes two aspects can help in addressing the waning trust situation, one of which is by opening the door for any country to collaborate with, so that development in the Indo-Pacific region is inclusive.

Secondly, the minister emphasized that the region should focus on real cooperation and have an impact on the people's lives.

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"Speaking of concrete cooperation, the four priorities in ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific can be a good start. Maritime issues, in particular, are very relevant to the context of the ASEAN-India partnership," she explained.

Earlier, during a closed session of the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on the same day, an agreement was reached on several points pertaining to maritime issues.

Citing a release by India's Ministry of External Affairs, the foreign ministers' forum welcomed the proposal of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.


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Translator: Suwanti, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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