ASEAN is central to India’s ‘Act East’ policy: PM Modi in Laos

ASEAN has been a strategic partner of India since 2012.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to deliver his statement at the start of the ASEAN-India summit in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summitsat the National Convention Center, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers his statement at the start of the ASEAN-India summit in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits at the National Convention Center, Thursday in Vientiane, Laos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday stressed the importance of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and said ASEAN, the association of southeast Asian nations, was central to India’s objective in that direction. The Prime Minister was speaking at the 14th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

“Our ties are a source of balance and harmony in the region. The substance of our strategic partnership covers economic, security, socio-culture…ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2016-20) has served us well in fulfilling our objectives. We have already implemented 54 out of 130 activities have already been implemented,” said PM Modi.

The PM added that enhancing the connectivity in all its dimensions – physical, digital, economy, institutional and cultural- has been at the heart of India’s strategic partnership with ASEAN. “In face of growing traditional and nontraditional challenges, political security co-operation is a key emergent pillar of our relationships,” said PM Modi.

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Stressing on the continuous rise of global terrorism, PM Modi said, “Export of terror, growing radicalisation & spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies.”

PM Modi arrived on Wednesday in the Laotian capital to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia Summits to strengthen India’s trade and security ties with the strategic Southeast Asian region.

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ASEAN has been a strategic partner of India since 2012. India and ASEAN have 30 dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly. Trade between India and ASEAN stood at USD 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12 per cent of India’s total trade with the world. The ASEAN-India economic integration process has got a fillip with the creation of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area in July 2015, following the entry into force of the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements.

Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

(With inputs from PTI)

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