Summit is an opportunity to discuss challenges to peace in East Asia: PM Modi | Foreign Defense Security News

He added: “The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges of peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We share close cultural and civilizational ties with the region, including Lao PDR, which is enriched by the joint traditions of Buddhism and the Ramayana.”

Prime Minister Modi said he was looking forward to his meeting with the Lao leadership to further strengthen bilateral ties and expressed confidence that the visit would deepen ties with ASEAN countries.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Leaving for the Lao PDR to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and 19th East Asia Summit. This is a special year as we mark a decade of our Act East policy, which led to our visit will be of great benefit to the nation and will include several bilateral meetings and exchanges with various world leaders.”

In a post on PM @narendramodi embarks on a 2-day visit to Lao PDR to attend the 21st ASEAN -India and 19th East Asia Summit.”

Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Majumder emphasized that India attaches immense value to all ASEAN-related processes and stressed that the meeting will determine the future trajectory of India-ASEAN relations.

Addressing a special briefing on PM Modi's visit to Laos on Wednesday, Majumdar said, “Prime Minister Modi will visit Vientiane, Lao PDR, Lao PDR at the invitation of the Prime Minister for the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, Siphandon 10 and 11 at Sonex October will be more than we will focus on all measures related to ASEAN.

Highlighting the importance of the meeting, Majumdar further said, “This special summit will be significant as it is the 10th anniversary of the Prime Minister's East policy. The Prime Minister will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations along with other Heads of State in the governments of ASEAN countries and he will guide the future direction of our relationship.”

The MEA official further emphasized support for the theme of “Connectivity and Resilience” and said that connectivity is a very important pillar of New Delhi's engagement with ASEAN.

“We will extend our support to the theme of the presidency, which is connectivity and resilience… Connectivity is a very important pillar of our engagement with ASEAN. 20 percent of the Indian diaspora across the world lives in ASEAN countries,” said MEA Secretary Md.

He added: “We have direct flights with seven ASEAN countries. We hope that before the end of the year we will have direct air connections with two more ASEAN countries… ASEAN is one of our main trade and investment partners for India. .”

Speaking at the East Asia Summit, Majumder said the East Asia Summit process aims to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.” Moving forward to the East Asia Summit, which includes 10 ASEAN countries and eight partners, Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States will also participate as observers.”

“This process has been in place since 2005. And it aims to build strategic trust in the region, promote peace, stability and prosperity for the region,” he said.

He added: “At the East Asia Summit, the Prime Minister announced the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI)… We work closely with ASEAN countries on this issue. The three ASEAN countries – Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore and the three East Asian Partners – the US, Australia and Japan are our partners in IPOI.”

The MEA official added that the revival of Nalanda University in Bihar is also an initiative of the East Asia Summit. Like “The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University.”

Majumdar also briefed about Prime Minister Modi's bilateral meeting at the upcoming summit.

“The Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Lao PDR Prime Minister. We have very close, friendly, historical and cultural relations with the Lao PDR.”

The ASEAN-India Summit will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart future directions for cooperation.

The East Asia Summit contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region and provides an opportunity for leaders of countries participating in the EAS, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance.