India is the world's largest democracy. India is a country from where the world is joining its voice and moving along with it. It is India's democratic values and thinking that are writing a new chapter. Something similar was seen during the 19th East Asia Summit for the betterment of humanity and the betterment of the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the conference. He said that an independent, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region is essential for the peace and progress of the entire region. Referring to the South China Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that peace, security and stability in this region would be in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister also supported the unity and centrality of ASEAN.
During the conference, the Prime Minister supported ASEAN's views on the situation in Myanmar and said that it is important to maintain humanitarian assistance. The Prime Minister said that appropriate steps should also be taken to restore democracy in Myanmar soon.
At the conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this is not the era of war. He said that the conflicts going on in different parts of the world are having the most negative impact on the countries of the Global South. In such a situation, it is very important to restore peace in the world.
Describing terrorism as a serious challenge to global peace and security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that humanity must work together to overcome the challenges of terrorism. The Prime Minister once again reiterated that the East Asia Summit is an important pillar of India's Act East Policy.
During the summit, in his address, the Prime Minister also invited member countries to the Heads of Higher Education Conclave to be held in Nalanda. The Prime Minister was the first leader to address the East Asia Summit after the host and the incoming president. The East Asia Summit provides an opportunity for the leaders of the region to discuss issues of regional importance. Apart from the 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States participated in the East Asia Summit as partner countries. Timor Leste participated as an observer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Laos to attend the 21st ASEAN-India and 19th East Asia Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on Friday. During this, the Prime Minister thanked the people of Laos for their warm welcome and friendship as the host of the ASEAN Summit. The Prime Minister expressed commitment to strengthen relations in skills, energy, infrastructure, education and other areas for the development of both countries. Several agreements were signed in the presence of the two leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of Thailand on the occasion of the East Asia Summit in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Friday. During this, discussions were held on increasing trade relations and cultural relations. Along with this, possibilities of cooperation in defense, shipping, digital innovation and other areas were also discussed. India's relations with Thailand are an important pillar of India's Act East policy.
On the occasion of Asia Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South Korea's President Yun Suk Yeol. During this, talks were held on taking the mutual relations further.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the world's largest democracy India has received appreciation on the foreign policy front. In India's foreign policy, the country comes first. India has also become the voice of those countries who were looking for their issues in the changing global conditions. Act East Policy has also been a part of India's policies. Keeping this policy in mind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the ASEAN Summit. In the last decade, Act East Policy has given a new direction to the relations between India and ASEAN countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said -
10 years ago I announced India's ACT Policy. In the last decade, this policy has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historical relations between India and ASEAN countries. Giving importance to ASEAN centrality, we launched the Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative in 2019. This complements the ASEAN Outlook on Indo Pacific. Last year, maritime exercises have been started for regional security and stability.
The specialty of India's foreign policy has been that there is no one big or small in it; India's policy is a policy of global welfare. Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained the importance of relations between India and ASEAN countries at the ASEAN summit and also shared his views on how India and ASEAN countries were important in the 21st century.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said –
We are peace loving countries. We respect each other's national integrity and sovereignty and are committed to the bright future of our youth. I believe that the 21st century is the Asian century of India and ASEAN countries. Today, when there is conflict and tension in many parts of the world, the friendship, coordination, dialogue and cooperation between India and ASEAN is very important.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke about how India and ASEAN countries are complementing each other. During this, the Prime Minister also emphasized on increasing connectivity with ASEAN countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said -
In the last 10 years, our trade with the ASEAN region has almost doubled to more than $130 billion. Today, India has direct flight connectivity with seven ASEAN countries and soon direct flights will start with Brunei as well. We have opened a new embassy in Timor Leste. Singapore was the first country with which we established fintech connectivity and now this success is being replicated in other countries as well. People centric approach is the basis of our development partnership. More than 300 ASEAN students have benefited from scholarship in Nalanda University. Network of Universities has been launched. Work has been done for the preservation of shared heritage and heritage in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia. Be it the Covid pandemic or natural disaster, we have helped each other by shouldering humanitarian responsibilities. Science and Technology Fund, Digital Fund and Green Fund have been established for cooperation in various fields. India has contributed more than $30 million in these. As a result, today our cooperation extends from under-voter to space, that is, our partnership has expanded in every way in the last decade and it is a matter of pleasure that in 2022 we have given it the status of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Relations between India and ASEAN countries are continuously getting stronger. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Act East Policy in November 2014 at the ASEAN India Summit. Its aim was to strengthen India's strategic economic and trade relations in the Indo-Pacific Asia region and the South China Sea region. India is benefiting from this policy at every level.
Apart from the ASEAN India Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the leaders of various countries on October 10. He also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations. On this occasion, the Prime Minister met the newly appointed Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba. He also congratulated him for his new responsibility. In this meeting, they discussed increasing cooperation in many areas including infrastructure, communication and defense.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Langan on the sidelines of the ASEAN India Summit in Vientiane. During this, discussions were held on increasing cooperation in areas such as economic cooperation, tourism, education and innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The Prime Minister also met Philippines President Bong Bong Marcos. Various issues were discussed. Apart from this, the Prime Minister also met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister also met World Economic Forum Executive President Klaus Schupp and also held talks with European Council President Charles Michel. On the first day of his Laos visit on Thursday, the Prime Minister watched a play based on Lao Ramayana. In which the scene of Lord Shri Ram's victory over Ravana was shown. The Prime Minister met the artists and encouraged them.
On the first day of his visit to Laos, the Prime Minister met monks and spiritual leaders there. They were happy to see the respect being given to the Pali language by the Indian people. The Prime Minister also inspected an exhibition. On this occasion, he also mentioned the deep cultural connection between the two countries. He expressed happiness on India working together in the preservation and restoration of various heritage sites in Laos. Let us tell you that the Prime Minister reached Laos on Thursday on a two-day visit. Where he was given a grand welcome. On reaching Laos, the Indian community gave a grand welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister expressed happiness on the local people reciting Sanskrit mantras and speaking in Hindi. Along with this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also enjoyed the cultural program and Bihu dance presented by the artists.
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