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| Image: Flickr User - Narendra Modi |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two day visit to Laos to attend the 14th ASEAN-India Summit and 11th East Asia Summit.
“I will visit Vientiane, Lao PDR to attend the 14th ASEAN-India Summit and 11th East Asia Summit. This is the third time I am attending these Summits,” Prime Minister Modi said in his pre-departure statement.
“I will visit Vientiane, Lao PDR to attend the 14th ASEAN-India Summit and 11th East Asia Summit. This is the third time I am attending these Summits,” Prime Minister Modi said in his pre-departure statement.
Modi further said that, “ASEAN is a key partner of our Act East Policy, which is vital for the economic development of our North-eastern region. Our strategic partnership with ASEAN is also important for safeguarding and promoting our security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region. East Asia Summit is the premier forum for discussion on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region,” Modi added
“Our engagement and approach with countries of South East Asia can be best encapsulated in just one word – connectivity. We wish to enhance our physical and digital connectivity, to see people connect, to strengthen our institutional linkages and to leverage the modern interconnected world for the mutual benefit of all our people,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued.
The Summits will be attended by Heads of State of the 10 ASEAN and 18 East Asia Summit participating countries.
The ASEAN-India Summit has an important role to play in strengthening India’s Act East Policy. At the 14th ASEAN-India Summit, ASEAN leaders will review ASEAN-India cooperation and discuss its future direction. Regional and international issues of mutual interest will also be discussed.
At the 11th East Asia Summit issues like maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and migration are likely to be discussed.
A joint statement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is also expected to be adopted at a ceremony after the East Asia Summit.
India, as a part of its strategic priorities, has step up its cooperation with the Mekong sub-region which comprises Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam because it links the Bay of Bengal with the South China Sea through land route.
Modi will also attend the East Asia Summit where connectivity and trade will be the focus of discussions among the participating countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also meet with heads of states on the sidelines of the ASEAN and East Asia Summits.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.