Representing India at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials’ Meeting on 11 June, Secretary (East) P. Kumaran reaffirmed 🇮🇳’s Act East Policy, emphasising robust ties with ASEAN and commitment to the ARF process. On the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India reiterated: - The need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of the terrorist attack accountable. - ⁠Its zero-tolerance to terrorism and how Operation Sindoor sets a new normal in terms of our response to cross-border terror attacks. - Its stance on the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. ⁠ India also highlighted: - Pakistan’s notoriety as the global epicentre of terrorism, hosting the largest number of UN-proscribed terrorists and entities. - ⁠Pakistan’s policy of labelling terrorists as martyrs. - Pakistan’s gimmick of playing victim and calling for a “neutral” investigation, notwithstanding its failure to cooperate on earlier terror attacks.