The India-ASEAN strategic partnership builds on our shared historical, geographical and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, addressing the 17th ASEAN-India summit. “ASEAN has always been at the core of our Act East policy. There are many similarities between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and ASEAN’s perspective on the Indo-Pacific, ”said the prime minister.
Prime Minister Modi spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic and said that, unlike in other years, there will not be a ‘family photo’ of the meeting.
“We want to increase connectivity between India and ASEAN in all sectors,” said the prime minister. Although the meeting is virtual, the effort is to bridge the gap between us, Prime Minister Modi said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the most important groups in the region. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia are its members. India, the US, China, Japan and Australia are their dialogue partners.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc co-chaired the meeting.
“The leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen the ASEAN-India engagement and in this context will take note of the adoption of the ASEAN-India Action Plan (2021-2025). Covid-19, post-pandemic economic recovery and important regional and international developments will also be discussed at the summit, ”the MEA said in a statement.
“The ASEAN-India strategic partnership is built on a solid foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties. The India Act East policy, which underlines the centrality of ASEAN, reflects the importance that India attaches to engagement with ASEAN, ”the MEA stated.
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