Vientiane: Emphasizing that the 'Act East' policy has given new energy, direction, and momentum to the historic relations between India and southeast Asian countries over the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the 21st century is the "Asian century" of India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
PM Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan Shigeru Ishiba and New Zealand Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos. "We are neighbors, fellow members of the Global South, and the fastest-growing region of the world. We are peace-loving countries, respect each other's national integrity and sovereignty, and are committed to a bright future for our youth," PM Modi said in his opening remarks at the India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, shortly after he arrived in Laos.
"I believe that the 21st century is the Asian century of India and ASEAN countries. Today, when there is a situation of conflict and tension in many parts of the world, the friendship, coordination, dialogue and cooperation between India and ASEAN remains very important," he added.
During the Summit, Prime Minister Modi announced a 10-point plan to strengthen connectivity and resilience based on Laos' theme as the 2024 ASEAN Chair and in celebration of 10 years of the 'Act East' policy. The 10-point plan to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership includes enhancing physical, digital, cultural, and spiritual connectivity toward achieving cyber, disaster, supply chain, health and climate resilience.
PM Modi suggested celebrating 2025 as the 'ASEAN-India Year of Tourism' for which India would make available USD five million towards joint activities; To celebrate a decade of 'Act East' policy through several people-centric activities including youth summit, start-up festival, hackathon, music festival, ASEAN-India network of think tanks and Delhi Dialogue; To organize ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund; and, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and provision of new scholarships for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India
Prime Minister's 10-point plan also includes a review of ASEAN-India trade in Goods Agreement by 2025; Enhancing Disaster Resilience for which India would make available $5 million; Initiation of a new Health Ministers' track towards building health resilience; a regular mechanism of ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue towards strengthening digital and cyber resilience; organizing workshop on green hydrogen; and, inviting ASEAN leaders to join 'Plant a Tree for Mother' campaign towards building climate resilience.
The Prime Minister reiterated to ASEAN leaders India's support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. "In the ASEAN region, Singapore was the first country with which we established FinTech connectivity. And, now this success is being replicated in other countries also. "The people-centric approach is the foundation of our development partnership. More than 300 ASEAN students have benefited from scholarships at Nalanda University. A network of Universities has been launched. Work has been done to conserve common heritage and heritage in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia," highlighted PM Modi.
Reflecting further commitments to advancing the cooperation, the Leaders of ASEAN and India then adopted the 'Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region' in the Context of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the support of India's Act East Policy (AEP).
'PM Modi is the nicest, total killer': TrumpNew York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a "total killer" with the nation's adversaries and turned down offers of help when India faced threats, former US President Donald Trump has said. "He's great, he's a friend of mine, but on the outside, he looks like he's your father", yet "he's the nicest, total killer", Trump recalled during a podcast interview. Explaining the assessment, he said, "We had a couple of occasions where somebody was threatening India. I said, let me help. I'm very good with those people. Let me help.” But PM Modi turned down the offer saying, "I will do it. I will do it, and I will do anything necessary. We've defeated them for hundreds of years," Trump said. The Republican presidential candidate said that at a personal level with PM Modi, "we have a very good relationship. He's the nicest human being”. The Republican Presidential candidate fondly recalled his participation in the "Howdy Modi" event in Houston in 2020. "It was me and him. We filled up the stadium. Was beautiful, like 80,000 people. Was going crazy," he said. |
