Incidentally, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit in China yesterday, saying, “one single nation” in South Asia is spreading “agents of terror” and demanded that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded.
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“Thank you gracious host Lao PDR”.
Soon after his arrival, he held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
This is the third time that the Prime Minister is attending the ASEAN summit and the East Asia Summit.
“This is the third time Modi is attending these Summits”, an official told Bureaucracy Today.
“East Asia Summit is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region”. “India is committed to a Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity”, Modi said. He also reportedly said that India and Pakistan must keep their focus on economy while discussing other issues. PM Modi stated that natural disasters were a prime concern and announced India’s initiatives to help devise coordinated approaches and responses.
He also said that India as already implemented 54 activities mentioned in the ASEAN-India Plan of Action.
PM Modi noted East Asia Summit adopting statement on non proliferation.
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.
The 28th and 29th ASEAN Leader Summits will run from today to September 8 with leaders from 18 countries in attendance, including the heads of China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, India and Australia.
Strengthening partnership with ASEAN is a part of India’s core strategy to increase its influence in the South East Asian region. According to MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup, Mr. Modi said India will always stand with the government and the people Myanmar as the new government tries to fulfill the aspirations of the people.
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Differences between India and China too have sharpened, over Beijing blocking New Delhi’s bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, its refusal to allow United Nations sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorist chiefs, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
