Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Laos on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at enhancing India's engagement with Southeast Asian nations through the Asean-India and East Asia summits. His visit comes at the invitation of Laos’ Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, as the country currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
During his stay, Modi will participate in the 21st Asean-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, both crucial platforms for discussing regional cooperation and addressing pressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. In his statement before departure, Modi emphasized that this year marks a decade of India's Act East policy, a strategic initiative that has significantly strengthened ties between India and Southeast Asian countries.
In his remarks, Modi expressed his enthusiasm for joining Asean leaders to assess the progress made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "We will chart the future direction of our cooperation," he said, highlighting the importance of collaboration in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Reflecting on the cultural and historical connections shared between India and Laos, Modi noted the deep-rooted ties stemming from a shared heritage of Buddhism and the Ramayana. "I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen our bilateral ties," he added, underscoring the significance of personal diplomacy in enhancing relations.
The prime minister’s visit is also set to include various bilateral meetings with global leaders, emphasizing India's commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and partnerships. Established in 1967, Asean consists of ten member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Brunei Darussalam.
The East Asia Summit, on the other hand, brings together the ten Asean countries and eight partners, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. Notably, Timor-Leste holds observer status at the EAS.
As Modi embarks on this significant diplomatic mission, his interactions are expected to reinforce India’s presence in Southeast Asia and promote collaborative efforts towards mutual growth and development in the region.
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