Vientiane, Oct 10 :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the 21st century is the Asian century and belongs to India and the Asean bloc. He also said that at a time when parts of the world are engulfed in wars and tension, India and Asean stand out for their friendship, partnership, cooperation and dialogue.
Addressing the 21st Asean-India Summit in Vientiane, the PM said that India and the Asean bloc are neighbours, partners in the Global South, and constitute the fastest-growing region in the world. “We are peace loving, respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and are committed to ensuring a bright future for our youth.”
He said that 10 years ago he had announced launching of the Act East Policy, and the past decade has given the historical ties between India and the Asean new energy, direction and pace.
“While giving primacy to Asean Centrality, India launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative in 2019, which complements the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
India and the Asean launched maritime exercises last year for regional peace and security, the PM said, adding that the bilateral trade has crossed USD 130 billion in the past decade.
India has direct flight connectivity with seven Asean nations and will soon launch direct flight connectivity with Brunei, the PM said.
India has also opened a new mission in Timor Leste, which has joined the Asean grouping as the 11th member.
PM Modi said that India began tech connectivity with Singapore and now this success would be replicated in the other nations of the bloc.
People-centric approach is the basis for our development partnership, the PM said adding that 300 students from Asean nations have got scholarships from Nalanda University in India. He also said that a Network of Universities has been launched.
He said that work is being done to preserve the shared heritage and culture with Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia.
PM Modi said that during natural disasters and also the Covid pandemic, India and the Asean countries came forward to help each other.
India and the Asean have set up the Science and Technology Fund, Digital Fund and Green Fund for cooperation in different fields. India has contributed more than USD 30 million toward these funds.
“And as a result, our partnership has spread from the underwater to space. Which highlights that our partnership has expanded across all fields,” the PM said.
In 2022, the two sides elevated their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
I have firm belief that our meeting today will give new dimension to our ties, he said.
Founded on Aug 8, 1967, Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Timor Leste was given full membership in the grouping.
