PM Modi to leave for Laos today to attend ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two day visit to Lao, PDR this morning. He will attend the 14th ASEAN- India Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, capital of Lao. During the visit, Mr Modi will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of Japan, South Korea, Lao and Myanmar.

In his pre-departure message, the Prime Minister has said that ASEAN is a key partner for India’s Act East Policy, which is vital for the economic development of country’s North-eastern region. In a Facebook post, he said, strategic partnership with ASEAN is also important for safeguarding and promoting India’s security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region. On East Asia Summit, prime minister said, it is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region. He said, India’s ties with the countries of South East Asia are truly historic and country’s engagement and approach can be best encapsulated in just one word



- connectivity.

Prime Minister said, India wants to enhance physical and digital connectivity in the region, enhance people to people links and also strengthen institutional linkages and leverage the modern interconnected world for the mutual benefit of the people in the region.

The Pre-departure message of the Prime Minister sets the tone for proceedings of the two important Summits and a concrete outcome can be expected. More than 10 per cent of India’s trade is with ASEAN and also, India is sixth largest trading partner for ASEAN. Trade relations between the two are poised for steeper growth with the signing of free trade area pact last year.

During ASEAN India Dialogue, other than economic, the other two major areas under discussion will be politico-security and socio-cultural cooperation.In the East Asia Summit, statements on three major issues are expected. These are Infrastructure development in the region, strengthening response to Migrants in crisis and Non-Proliferation.