PM leaves on two-day visit to Laos today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Vientiane, Laos, this morning. In his departure statement, Mr. Modi said he is embarking on a two-day visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR, at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to participate in the 21st ASEAN-India and the 19th East Asia Summit. He said this year India is marking a decade of the Act East Policy. Mr. Modi said he will join the ASEAN leaders to review progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of our cooperation.

He said the East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister said India shares close cultural and civilisational ties with the region, including with Lao PDR, which are enriched by the shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana. He said he is looking forward to his meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen the bilateral ties. Mr. Modi expressed confidence that the visit will further deepen the engagement with ASEAN countries. 

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi yesterday, Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, informed that



this will be the Prime Minister’s tenth attendance at the ASEAN-India Summit. He said Prime Minister Modi is travelling to Vientiane at the invitation of Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone. Mr. Mazumdar said Prime Minister Modi, along with other heads of state in the governments of ASEAN countries, will review the progress of the relations between India and ASEAN and also chart the future direction of the relationship.

India is marking a decade of the Act East Policy this year. Relations with ASEAN are a central pillar of the Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. The ASEAN-India Summit will review progress of India-ASEAN relations through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation. India has many cooperative activities with the ASEAN countries. 

The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum that contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region, provides an opportunity for leaders of the participating countries, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the summits.