Commemorative Summit | ASEAN is centre of India's Look East Policy, looking for closer maritime ties: PM Modi
PM stressed on leveraging common social ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed all the ASEAN leaders on Wednesday to mark 25 years of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit (AICS) that marks 25 years of the partnership. The 10 leaders are also the guests of honour on Republic Day, which falls on Friday.
The ASEAN leaders were also greeted by President Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion.
Earlier, PM Modi held separate bilateral meetings with Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday.
PM Modi welcomed the three leaders to India for their participation in the Summit and also for accepting the invitation to be the chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations on 26th January this year.
During the meeting of Prime Minister Modi with Suu Kyi, discussions were held on various issues of mutual interest and ways of further strengthening our bilateral relations, including follow up on key decisions taken during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Myanmar in September 2017.
In the meeting with Prime Minister Phuc, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growth of bilateral relations between the two countries within the framework of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including in the fields of maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, defence, oil and gas, trade and investment.
The leaders also agreed that the two agreements signed during this visit viz., on cooperation in the fields of Information & Broadcasting and on the establishment of tracking and data reception station and data processing facility in Vietnam under the ASEAN-India Space Cooperation would give a further boost to India-Vietnam relations.
They expressed satisfaction at operationalisation of the Line of Credit of USD 100 million under which L&T has been awarded a contract for the manufacture of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). They decided that the other Line of Credit of USD 500 million be operationalised soon.
With agency inputs
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PM Modi also mentions how trade volume with ASEAN countries have grown 25 times in 25 years. He mentions that investments are robust and growing and further work needs to be done for greater interaction among business communities.
Modi announces several scholarships for students from ASEAN countries. He mentions about India's role in conservation of temples in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
PM Modi is now addressing the Asean-India Commemorative summit.
PM stressed upon the common civilizational ties between ASEAN countries and India and stressed on how it can be used to strengthen relationship.
PM says, "Delighted to welcome you all to the ASEAN-India commemorative summit. Our shared voyage goes back thousands of years. It is India's privilege to host the ASEAN leaders. The leaders will be our honoured guests at the RepublicDay celebrations".
Modi mentions how relationship has evolved from 1992 gradually through five year action plans.
As predicted, PM focusses on working in the maritime domain. With a rampant China close on heels, many ASEAN countries are looking for stronger maritime ties with India.
PM highlights the importance of Act East Policy.
PM mentions the Indic roots of different religions widely practised in India and ASEAN countries.
MEA addressed a presser to brief about the summit.
The Indian -Asian Commemorative Summit is currently underway. PM is expected to be speaking at around 6 PM.
As expected. greater maritime connectivity a big focus of the meeting.