Prime Minister Modi Participated in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit (EAS)

Prime Minister Modi participated in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and engaged in comprehensive discussions with ASEAN partners to reinforce the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He reaffirmed the central role of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the alignment between India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Emphasis was placed on the timely review of ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA).

12-Point Proposal for Cooperation

Multi-Modal Connectivity: Proposal for a South-East Asia-India-West Asia-Europe economic corridor.
Digital Public Infrastructure Sharing: India offered its Digital Public Infrastructure Stack to ASEAN nations.
Digital Future Fund: Announcement of an ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future, focusing on digital transformation and financial connectivity.
Support for ERIA: Renewed support for the Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) as a knowledge partner.
Global South Representation: Collective advocacy for Global South issues in multilateral forums.
Traditional Medicine Center: Invitation for ASEAN countries to join the WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.
Mission LiFE: Call for cooperation on Mission LiFE.
Affordable Medicines: Offer to share India’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras.
Counterterrorism Cooperation: A call for a collective fight against terrorism, terror financing, and cyber-disinformation.
Disaster Resilience: Invitation for ASEAN countries to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Disaster Management: Cooperation in disaster management.
Maritime Safety: Enhanced cooperation on maritime safety, security, and domain awareness.

East Asia Summit Highlights

Support for EAS Mechanism

At the 18th East Asia Summit, Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the EAS mechanism and India’s commitment to its strengthening. He reaffirmed India’s support for ASEAN centrality and advocated for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Quad’s Vision and ASEAN

PM Modi highlighted the alignment of visions for the Indo-Pacific between India and ASEAN and emphasized ASEAN’s pivotal role in the Quad’s vision.

Global Challenges and Initiatives

Prime Minister called for a cooperative approach to address global challenges, including terrorism, climate change, resilient supply chains for essential items, and energy security. He showcased India’s initiatives in climate change, such as ISA, CDRI, LiFE, and OSOWOG.

Financial Connectivity and Think Tank Support

PM Modi announced the establishment of the ASEAN India Fund for Digital Future, aimed at enhancing financial connectivity between ASEAN and India. He also expressed support for ERIA, an ASEAN think tank that will deepen ASEAN-India relations.

Regional and International Issues

Leaders exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues during the summit.

East Asia Summit Participants

The East Asia Summit includes eighteen participating countries:

ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Other Nations: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, the United States of America.

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