(REUTERS) India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar warned Southeast Asian partners on Wednesday (July 22) that the world had become "extremely turbulent" and that no single nation could tackle such challenges alone.
Speaking at meetings of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers in Manila, Jaishankar said maritime trade security could "no longer be taken for granted" as global supply chains face mounting pressures from geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
Separately, Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa aims to complete a free trade agreement with ASEAN this year, calling the deal a strategic investment in economic resilience.
Foreign ministers from the 11-member ASEAN and major partners have meetings in Manila this week against a backdrop of instability since the U.S. and Iran resumed open conflict, raising fears about energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as inflation and global growth.
Posted by: Alma Angeles/NET25 News
