News Story: Vietnam applauds India’s “Act East” policy

New Delhi (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung lauded India’s “Act East” policy designed to at strengthen ties with ASEAN member states, given the region is witnessing rapid changes, including the establishment of the ASEAN Community, and India is emerging as a regional power.

In his speech delivered at the “Act East” dialogue in New Delhi on April 5, Dung suggested the two sides enhance physical, digital and cultural connectivity and people-to-people exchange in order to strengthen the India-ASEAN strategic partnership as well as accelerate the deployment of the “Act East” policy, in which ASEAN is identified as a nucleus and a centre of “Indian Dream” in an Asian century.  

According to the diplomat, the two sides need to facilitate projects and seek public-private partnership as the India-Mekong Economic Corridor, the India-Myanmar-Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia expressway, the expanded India-Myanmar -Thailand expressway will expand transport connectivity and contribute to lifting two-way trade and investment. 

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Report: India, Indonesia to Add Ballast to Ties With Frequent Top Level Meetings

Two countries with the world’s highest Muslim populations are trying to intensify bilateral ties with frequent high level meetings including an annual summit, defense dialogue, more cooperation on terrorism and drug abuse, coordinating positions on South China Sea and cooperation to promote peaceful Islam.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – India and Indonesia on Monday considered concrete steps to improve bilateral ties through several vectors. A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Indonesian President Joe Wikodo resolved to rely on high level meetings to add more depth to their ties.

These will include an annual summit besides initiating interaction at the level of Defense, Trade and Energy Ministers before the first half of next year. By then, they also hope to convene separate high level dialogues on energy and security cooperation. 

Significantly the two sides with a combined Muslim population of 380 million also discussed cooperation between them to promote Islam as a religion of peace. “A cooperation to promote Islam that is peaceful and rahmatan lil ‘alamin [blessing for the whole world and its content],’’ said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. The Indonesian President held the talks on Islam with the Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari who is also a Muslim. Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population while India ranks second with its Muslim population of 170 million. 

News Report: ASEAN is Central to India’s 'Act East Policy' - Indian Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the ASEAN Summit that ASEAN-India ties are a source of harmony in the region.

“ASEAN is central to India’s ‘Act East Policy’. Our engagement is driven by common priorities, and is bringing peace, stability and prosperity to region. The substance of our strategic partnership [includes] economic, security and socio-cultural aspects,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a speech at the 14th ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed the ASEAN countries to step up their cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism.