Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was a key partner for India's Act East Policy, which was vital for the economic development of our Northeastern region.
He also said that India's strategic partnership with ASEAN was important for safeguarding and promoting security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region.
Following is the PM Modi's post on Facebook:
I will visit Vientiane, Lao PDR on 7-8 September 2016 to attend the 14th ASEAN-India Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit. This is the third time I am attending these summits.
ASEAN is a key partner for our Act East Policy, which is vital for the economic development of our Northeastern region. Our strategic partnership with ASEAN is also important for safeguarding and promoting our security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region. East Asia Summit is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region.
Our ties with the countries of South East Asia are truly historic.
Our engagement and approach can be best encapsulated in just one word - connectivity. We wish to enhance our physical and digital connectivity; to see greater people to people links; to strengthen our institutional linkages; and, to leverage the modern interconnected world for the mutual benefit of all our people.
During the visit, I will also have the opportunity to interact with the leaders of participating countries to discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern.
The India-Asean summit will be attended by the leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand.
The East Asia summit will be attended by the leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia.
Close ties with ASEAN is key to our Act East Policy. We seek more economic & people-to-people ties with ASEAN for benefit of our citizens.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2016
Will attend the ASEAN-India Summit & East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 7th & 8th September. https://t.co/TmeToe9Mpp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2016
