Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Laos on October 10 and 11 to attend the ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. This visit underscores India's commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN nations and is particularly significant as it marks the tenth anniversary of Modi's Act East policy. The Ministry of External Affairs has highlighted the importance of these summits in shaping the future of India-ASEAN relations.
Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasised the value India places on all mechanisms related to ASEAN. He noted that the upcoming meeting will assess the progress made in India’s relations with ASEAN countries. The summit will take place in Vientiane, Laos, hosted by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the current Chair of ASEAN.
Mazumdar stated that this will be Modi's tenth participation in the ASEAN-India Summit. He remarked on the significance of this summit as a platform to evaluate the progress of India-ASEAN relations and to outline future directions for cooperation. The meeting comes at a crucial time, as connectivity and resilience have been established as key themes for this year’s discussions.
Mazumdar pointed out that connectivity is a vital component of India's engagement with ASEAN. He highlighted that around 20 percent of the Indian diaspora resides in ASEAN countries, which strengthens the cultural and economic ties between the regions. Currently, India has direct flight connections with seven ASEAN countries, and there are plans to expand these connections further.
The East Asia Summit, which includes the ten ASEAN countries and eight partners—Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States—aims to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
The summit has been operational since 2005, with a focus on building strategic trust among the participating countries. Mazumdar noted that India works closely with ASEAN nations under various initiatives, including the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), which was announced during a previous East Asia Summit.
The revival of Nalanda University, an ancient centre of learning, is also linked to the East Asia Summit initiatives. Recently, Modi inaugurated a new campus for Nalanda University, emphasising India's commitment to education and cultural ties in the region.
During the upcoming summit, Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Laos, highlighting the deep-rooted and friendly relations between the two countries.
The ASEAN-India Summit will review the progress of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identify future cooperation avenues. Meanwhile, the East Asia Summit provides a platform for leaders to discuss crucial regional issues and build strategic trust.
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