On October 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the East Asia Summit would serve as a platform to address the challenges to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. This remark was made as he began a two-day visit to Laos for the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, invited by Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
“This year marks a decade of our Act East Policy,” Modi noted, expressing his intent to engage with ASEAN leaders to review the progress of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and outline future cooperation. He emphasized the cultural and civilizational ties shared with the region, particularly with Laos, rooted in the common heritage of Buddhism and the Ramayana.
In a social media post, Modi mentioned the significance of his trip, highlighting that it includes bilateral meetings with various world leaders. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated the importance of India’s Act East policy and the ongoing commitment to enhancing relationships within ASEAN.
Jaideep Mazumdar, MEA Secretary (East), elaborated on the significance of the upcoming summit, particularly in light of the Act East Policy’s tenth anniversary. The summit will serve as a forum for Prime Minister Modi and other ASEAN leaders to assess the development of India-ASEAN relations and to set future directions for collaboration.
Mazumdar stressed the theme of “connectivity and resilience” as a vital element of India’s engagement with ASEAN, noting that a significant portion of the Indian diaspora resides in ASEAN countries. Direct flight connectivity with more ASEAN nations is expected to expand soon, enhancing people-to-people ties.
As for the East Asia Summit, which includes ten ASEAN nations and eight partners, including the United States and China, the forum aims to foster strategic trust and promote regional peace and prosperity. The initiative, launched in 2005, includes discussions on the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), emphasizing cooperation with ASEAN nations such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
Mazumdar also mentioned the revival of Nalanda University in Bihar as part of the East Asia Summit initiatives, demonstrating the commitment to educational collaboration in the region. The summit will facilitate bilateral discussions between Modi and the Laotian Prime Minister, focusing on their historical and civilizational ties.
