PM Modi heads to Laos, says confident that visit will further deepen India-Asean engagement

“I am confident that this visit will further deepen our engagement with ASEAN countries,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as he left for Laos to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.

Ahead of his departure on a two-day trip to Vientiane, Laos, on the invitation Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, PM Modi also noted that the year, 2024, marks a decade of India’s Act East policy, which led to substantial benefits for the country.

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

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“I will join the ASEAN leaders to review progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of our cooperation,” PM Modi said.

He further said that the East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

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The Prime Minister also said that India shared close cultural and civilisation ties with the Indo-Pacific region, including with Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), who are enriched by a shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana.

“I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen our bilateral ties,” the PM further said.

10 years of 🇮🇳’s Act East Policy!

🎥 As PM @narendramodi will be heading to Lao PDR for the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits, take a look at the growing engagement with the region. pic.twitter.com/KZtm14X4aO

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 9, 2024

Modi must present new ideas to strengthen ASEAN-India relations

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s ambassador Ina H. Krisnamurthi said that PM Modi must present new ideas and concepts to strengthen ASEAN-India relations, building on last year’s impactful 12-point agenda.

Recalling PM Modi’s visit to Indonesia in September last year for the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit where he unveiled a strategic framework aimed at advancing ties between ASEAN and India, Krisnamurthi said, “The 12-point agenda was a brilliant initiative that laid the groundwork for our partnership.”

In an interview with PTI, Krisnamurthi expressed optimism that PM Modi would introduce innovative proposals to further enhance cooperation.

”We’re looking forward to his visit because he is a brilliant leader who understands ASEAN. He must put new ideas and concepts on the table following the 12 points to move forward,” she said.

During the summit in Jakarta on September 7, 2023, PM Modi introduced a comprehensive 12-point proposal aimed at enhancing India-ASEAN cooperation, focusing on key areas such as connectivity, digital transformation, trade and economic engagement, addressing contemporary challenges, fostering people-to-people connections, and deepening strategic ties.

The ambassador said Indonesia upholds its foreign policy concept known as the ”free and active policy”.

”We believe that India and Indonesia are crucial partners in ensuring peace, stability, and progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” she added.

With inputs from PTI.