Modi embarks on 10-day tour to attend key summits

New Delhi, November 11, 2014 (PTI) Asserting that ASEAN is at the core of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday headed to Myanmar to attend the Summit with the 10-nation grouping and the East Asia Summit. Mr. Modi left by a special Air India plane for Nay Pyi Taw on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Australia, where he will attend the G-20 meet, and Fiji. "ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterised by cooperation and integration," the Prime Minister said before his departure.

Modi said he was looking forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders how to take "our relationship to a new level, which will supplement our deepening bilateral ties with each member". The Prime Minister will meet over 40 leaders from countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Pacific Region during the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits on November 12-13 in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw, the G 20 Summit in Brisbane and the visit to Fiji Islands.

"At the East Asia Summit, I look forward to discussing with ASEAN and seven global leaders how we can strengthen regional institutions, international norms and regional cooperation in pursuit of peace, stability and



prosperity," the Prime Minister said in a statement. On the sidelines of the international summits in Myanmar, Modi is slated to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Singapore President Tony Tan, besides the host President Thein Sein

.

The ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, while the EAS members 10 ASEAN nations and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

At the G-20 Summit, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the importance of international cooperation against black money would be a key issue. The Prime Minister noted that G-20 countries account for 85 per cent of the world's economic output and it is a key forum to coordinate activities and pursue collective action to support global economic growth and stability, stable financial markets and global trading regimes and employment generation.

Modi will also have bilateral talks with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra after the G20 summit. He will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia in 28 years since Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. "While we have much in common with Australia, our political, strategic and economic relations have been below potential," he said.