Jakarta, 07 Sept : Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-ASEAN cooperation covering connectivity, digital transformation, trade, and economic engagements, addressing contemporary challenges, people-to-people contact, and improving strategic engagements.
Modi attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East-Asia Summit at Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday. He held extensive discussions with ASEAN partners.
PM Modi at ASEAN Summit
“The 21st century belongs to Asia. One Earth, One Family, and One Future is our mantra (formula)”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
In his brief address during the ASEAN Summit at Indonesia on Thursday, Modi said, “India’s initiative in the Indo-Pacific Region is important. ASEAN is the main pillar in India’s Act East policy. Our partnership is entering the fourth decade, in the global situation of uncertainty. The mutual cooperation is increasing.”
At the East Asian Summit, Modi reiterated the importance of the EAS mechanism and reaffirmed support to further strengthen it. He highlighted the synergies and visions for the Indo-Pacific between India and ASEAN as the focal point of Quad’s vision.
Modi called for cooperation to address global challenges including terrorism, climate change and supply chains for essential items like food and medicines.
In his proposal during an address at the ASEAN summit, Modi presented favoured establishing a multi-modal connectivity and economic corridor that links Southeast Asia-India-West Asia-Europe.
He offered to share India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Stack with ASEAN partners while announcing renewal of support to economic and research institute of ASEAN and East Asia to act as knowledge partner for enhancing our engagements.
He called for collectively raising issues being faced by Global South and invited ASEAN countries to join the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine being established by WHO in India.
On climate change, he called the nations to work together on mission LiFE and also offered to share India’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines to people through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras.
In Indias fight against terrorisim, the Prime Minister called for collective effort to fight against terrorism, terror financing, and cyber-disinformation.
Modi urged the ASEAN countries to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The Prime minster also reiterated India’s call for enhanced cooperation on maritime safety, security and domain awareness.
The two statements, on Maritime cooperation, and on Food security, were adopted at the Summit in Jakarta.
In addition to India and ASEAN leaders, Timor-Leste participated in the Summit as an observer.
