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PM Modi emplanes for Delhi after attending two-day ASEAN Summit

Talking against terrorism, the PM said terrorism is the most serious challenge to open and pluralistic societies and combating it would require collective effort.

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At meetings of foreign ministers of the Asean and East Asia Summit in July, the groupings failed to reach a consensus on referring to a recent United Nations tribunal order against China’s claims on islands in the South China Sea to criticise Beijing.

“We express our determination to take concrete measures to step up cooperation and coordination among our law enforcement and security agencies”, said a declaration at the end of the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds.

In his address at the Summit, Modi called sea-lanes as the lifelines of global trade and securing them was a shared responsibility between countries.

China is involved in disputes with littoral countries of the region over the South China Sea. The South China Sea is believed to be rich with deposits of oil and gas.

But China reacted angrily, saying it neither accepts nor recognises the ruling.

“… India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the Unclos”, he told the India-Asean Summit, referring to a United Nations convention on laws governing the seas.

India and most other countries in South Asia are keen to pursue a peaceful path to economic development, Modi said. “President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives to reform the Indian economy”.

ASEAN is a strategic partner of India since 2012.

Noting that cooperation in science and technology was a crucial element of development engagement, Modi proposed to enhance the ASEAN-India Fund with an additional grant of $50 million.

The White House yesterday said that President Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

The two leaders reported to have reviewed immediate priorities in the strategic partnership and cooperation in several areas including climate change, nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation.

He also invited the US President to visit India after demitting office to which Obama said he would welcome any opportunity to visit India.

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The two last met when Modi visited Washington in June. While India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross border terrorism, Pakistan, on its part, has been trying to internationalize Kashmir, alleging New Delhi of human rights violations.

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