PM Modi spoke about India in ASEAN, told how much the situation has changed in 10 years

PM Modi in ASEAN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday (October 10) that at a time when many parts of the world are facing conflict and tension, India-ASEAN friendship is very important. Addressing the 21st India-ASEAN Summit, Modi said he announced the ‘Act East Policy’ 10 years ago and in the last decade it has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relations between India and ASEAN countries.

The India-ASEAN summit comes at a time when the region is facing tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime issues in the South China Sea as well as the crisis in Myanmar, where ethnic groups are fighting military rule. PM Modi said that he believes that the 21st century, which is also called the Asian century, is the century of India and ASEAN countries.

India had started the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative

He said, “India-ASEAN friendship, coordination, dialogue and cooperation is very important at a time when many parts of the world are facing conflict and tension.” Prime Minister Modi said that India and ASEAN countries are neighbors and ‘global leaders’. Partners in ‘South’. He said, “We are a peace-loving country and respect each other’s national integrity and sovereignty and are committed to the bright future of the youth of the region.”

‘Trade with ASEAN countries doubled’

PM Modi said that keeping in mind the centrality of ASEAN, India had launched the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative in 2019. “Last year, maritime exercises were started for regional security and stability,” he said, adding that India’s trade with ASEAN countries has doubled in the last decade to more than $130 billion.

The Prime Minister said, “India has direct flights from seven ASEAN countries and direct flights to Brunei will start soon.” The Prime Minister said that India has started fintech connectivity with Singapore. He said, “This success is visible in other countries too.” The Prime Minister also said that people-centric efforts are the foundation of the development partnership between India and ASEAN. PM Modi said that more than 300 students from ASEAN region have received scholarships from Nalanda University.

India is at the forefront in helping

He said that this partnership has also been effective in preserving the common heritage of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia. Modi said, “Be it the Covid pandemic or natural disasters, we have helped each other while fulfilling our humanitarian responsibilities.”

He said India and ASEAN have set up Science and Technology Fund, Digital Fund and Green Fund for cooperation in various fields and New Delhi has contributed more than $300 million to these initiatives. Modi said, “As a result, today our cooperation has extended from water to space sectors and our partnership has become more comprehensive in the last decade.”

Later, Modi said in a post on ‘X’ that the India-ASEAN summit was fruitful. He said, “We discussed how to further strengthen the overall strategic partnership between India and ASEAN.” We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural ties and cooperation in technology, connectivity and other such areas.” Modi also plans to participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits and further deepen ties with countries in these groupings. Are in Laos on a two-day visit.

Also read: ‘India is a peace-loving country’, PM Modi said in ASEAN Summit, said this on Act East Policy