PM Modi to Laos: Strengthening ASEAN-India Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked for a two-day official visit to Laos when, and by and large an old imperative towards, India attends the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. Lately, this visit puts out under the limelight how important India is continuing to strive to establish robust and strategic ties with ASEAN nations.
A decade of "Act East" for India
In his statement of exit, Modi said marking the tenth year of the "Act East" policy this year is very important for India. He said he was committed to working closely with ASEAN leaders to review their comprehensive strategic partnership's progress and set future goals for their collaboration.
Leaving for Lao PDR to take part in the 21st ASEAN-India and 19th East Asia Summit. This is a special year as we mark a decade of our Act East Policy, which has led to substantial benefits for our nation. There will also be various bilateral meetings and interactions with various…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024
Focus on Indo-Pacific Stability
The East Asia Summit brings Modi and other leaders to dialogue on the crucial issues affecting peace, stability, and development in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi spoke on the cultural and historical bonds between India and countries like Laos, which were enhanced with common cultural elements such as Buddhism and the Ramayana.
Building on the 12-Point ASEAN-India Agenda
Among the discussions to be made during Modi's agenda for the summit is the enhancement of bilateral ties, particularly between India and Indonesia. According to Ina H. Krisnamurthi, Indonesia's ambassador to India, Modi should present creative ideas that would comprise huge success of the 12-point agenda he launched last year. This proposal was on digital connectivity, economic cooperation, and people-to-people engagements.
His visit to Indonesia for the 20th ASEAN-India and the 18th East Asia Summit last year laid the groundwork for a much more intensive partnership. This time, Indian sources indicate that the Indian leader will push further these efforts with new strategies, particularly as India celebrates a decade of its "Act EAST" policy.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Role of India and Indonesia Ambassador Krisnamurthi highlighted that India and Indonesia, under Mr. Modi's leadership, played an important role in peace, stability, and growth in the Indo-Pacific. She informed that Indonesia had followed a "free and active policy" and emphasized that cooperation between India and Indonesia was of great importance in the region's development process.
With inputs from agencies
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