Top diplomats gather at ASEAN Regional Forum amidst Middle East tensions

Top diplomats from Asia, Europe, and North America formally gathered on Thursday for the security-focused ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila. Ministers are expected to issue calls for a peaceful settlement following renewed and intensifying hostilities in the Middle East. The war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could dominate discussions. Attendees include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, among others. China’s Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying stated that the world has entered a new period of turbulence, with the Middle East situation impacting energy and food supply chains. It has been 12 days since the Middle East ceasefire collapsed, with the U.S. military launching attacks for the 12th successive night on Thursday. Iranian-aligned Houthis also claimed hits on two Saudi oil tankers, risking a second chokehold on global oil supplies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the United States wanted a diplomatic solution, but Tehran was

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman in Manila on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and reviewed Pakistan-Bangladesh ties. They discussed ways to deepen cooperation across areas of mutual interest and agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with the European Union's Foreign Affairs Head, Kaja Kallas, in Manila. During their meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance cooperation under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan. Separately, a protest was held against US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting in the Philippines capital.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced he will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on Thursday for talks focusing on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Lavrov described the meeting, taking place on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering, as potentially "useful." Moscow has condemned Washington’s recent strikes on its ally Iran. Rubio confirmed he would discuss Ukraine, noting that the conflict has impeded US-Russia agreement on other topics, but expressed a desire for the war to end. US President Donald Trump has backed Ukrainian long-range counter-strikes on Russian energy facilities, which have caused fuel shortages in Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with his Russian counterpart in Manila.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and other key areas. They also agreed to enhance coordination at multilateral forums and exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Upon his arrival in Manila for the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting, Deputy PM Dar was received by Elmer G Cato, Assistant Secretary at the Philippines’ foreign affairs department, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Asima Rabbani, along with other officials.