The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be an integral part of New India's transformation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, coinciding with India's extraordinary diplomatic outreach in hosting all 10 leaders of the Asean countries for its Republic Day celebrations.
PM Modi wrote a lead article in 27 newspapers in 10 languages across the 10 Asean countries and directly reached out to the general public there, seen as cultural frontiers of India.
Modi reminded them of shared culture and civilisational linkages and expected these countries to be an integral part of New India's transformation. He retreated that it was easier and smoother to do business in India.
With an aim to further trade ties, Modi also expressed eagerness to conclude the comprehensive and mutually beneficial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2018, which involves the 10 Asean countries and also China, Japan, Australia, India, South Korea and New Zealand to cover trade, services, investment, economic and technical co-operation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement and other issues.
This assumes significance as India was seen impeding its progress fearing that China may flood the markets after the RCEP allows it further free market access. Modi, however, called for a comprehensive, balanced and fair agreement for all 16 participants.
With Asean leaders as chief guests, the 2018 Republic Day parade also had two tableaux showcasing India's strong historical, cultural and religious bonds with the these nations. Modi told the public in these countries that their relations with India had been free from contests and claims. "We have a common vision for the future, built on commitment to inclusion and integration, belief in sovereign equality of all nations irrespective of size, and support for free and open pathways of commerce and engagement," he said.
Modi described the hosting the Asean leaders as a historic milestone to a deepening partnership of great promise for 1.9 billion people, about one-fourth of humankind.
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