RRI.CO.ID, Manila – Indonesia's Foreign Minister, Sugiono, called for stronger maritime cooperation between ASEAN and India as a foundation for enhancing regional resilience. He delivered the statement during the ASEAN-India Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) in Manila, the Philippines, on Tuesday, July 22, 2026.

Speaking at the meeting, which coincided with the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026, Sugiono said maritime collaboration should be translated into concrete actions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime safety, coast guard training, and strengthening port resilience to ensure ports remain operational amid natural disasters and global supply chain disruptions.

Indonesia also encouraged stronger connectivity across the Indian Ocean through port-to-port cooperation, joint search and rescue operations, and the development of the blue economy, all based on international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

"Regional resilience does not stop at the maritime sector. We must also ensure that our region is better prepared to withstand climate and geopolitical shocks by strengthening food and energy security," the Minister said in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 22.

He said Indonesia proposed establishing a joint ASEAN-India platform to monitor regional food and energy reserves in real time in order to improve the certainty, availability, and affordability of supplies across the region.

Sugiono also highlighted the strategic potential of Sabang as a gateway linking ASEAN and India. Located less than 200 kilometers from the Andaman Islands, Sabang has the potential to boost trade, cruise tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the two regions.

In the health sector, Indonesia has proposed the establishment of the ASEAN-India Health Resilience Track. It aims to boost cooperation in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, healthcare workforce training, and preparedness for future pandemics and other health challenges.

Indonesia also expressed support for accelerating the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make trade rules between ASEAN and India simpler, more efficient, and mutually beneficial. He called on ASEAN and India to ensure that the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026–2030 delivers a stronger and more prosperous partnership for the people of both regions.