PM Modi arrives in Laos to attend ASEAN-India summit

Vientiane [Laos], Sept. 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived on a two-day visit to Vientiane to attend the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted, "Greetings Vientiane! PM @narendramodi arrives in Laos for a packed 2 days of diplomacy" "PM reaches Lao PDR to join ASEAN-India Summit & East Asia Summit," tweeted Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Besides attending the two Summits, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Lao PDR and Myanmar. In his pre-departure message, the Prime Minister 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. Talking about the East Asia Summit, the Prime Minister said it is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region. He also said India's ties with the countries of South East Asia are truly historic, adding the country's engagement and approach can be best encapsulated in just one word - connectivity. "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," he said. The Prime Minister will attend the 11th East Asia Summit on Thursday. India's engagement with ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific Region has acquired further momentum following the enunciation of the Act East Policy by the Prime Minister. Indian Ambassador to ASEAN, Suresh Kumar Reddy, told the media earlier that the ASEAN Summit is expected to set the agenda for further strengthening the ties which will help India to achieve its objectives for socio-economic growth. Reddy further said the summit will provide valuable partners to India who can bring technology, resources and who can support Indian industries, adding the areas in which further cooperation between India and ASEAN countries are required are agriculture, climate change, non-traditional security areas, and cyber crimes and strengthening connectivity. During the Summit, the world leaders will review the progress of implementation of the ASEAN Community Blueprints 2025. (ANI)