PM Modi Strengthens India-ASEAN Ties at 20th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 20th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, and emphasized the significance of the ASEAN in India’s foreign policy. He co-chaired the summit and commended Indonesian President Joko Widodo for hosting it.
PM Modi highlighted the strong ties between India and the ASEAN nations, emphasizing their shared values, regional integration, and commitment to peace. He stressed that the ASEAN plays a central role in India’s Act East Policy and expressed support for ASEAN’s outlook on ASEAN-India centrality and the Indo-Pacific region.
The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit was “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” PM Modi pointed out the importance of ASEAN as a platform where all voices are heard and its role in global economic growth.
He also referenced the theme of the G20 under India’s presidency, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which emphasizes global unity.
PM Modi emphasized the need to amplify the voices of countries in the global south. He mentioned that in 2022, India celebrated ASEAN Friendship Day, elevating its partnership with ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic level.
During his speech, PM Modi congratulated Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on his recent appointment and acknowledged Singapore as the Country Coordinator and Laos, which will assume ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
In addition to the ASEAN Summit, PM Modi also participated in the East Asia Summit.
Upon his arrival in Indonesia, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at Jakarta International Airport and met with members of the Indian diaspora.
At the Jakarta Convention Centre, the venue of the ASEAN Summit, PM Modi was welcomed by President Joko Widodo.
In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation of exchanging views with other leaders on practical cooperation measures to collectively address global challenges. He emphasized that India’s engagement with ASEAN is a crucial aspect of its ‘Act East Policy.’
Prime Minister Modi is expected to return to New Delhi on Thursday evening before attending the G20 Summit scheduled for September 9-10.
In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta underscores the importance of India’s relationship with the ASEAN nations. He highlighted shared values, regional integration, and a commitment to peace as key elements of this partnership, emphasizing the ASEAN’s central role in India’s foreign policy. PM Modi also called for amplifying the voices of the global south and celebrated the elevated ties between India and ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership. His participation in the summit and meetings with other leaders are part of India’s broader engagement in the region and its commitment to addressing global challenges.