Modi noted that investment between India and Asean has increased in both ways.
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India intends to set up an ASEAN-India Innovation Platform to facilitate commercialisation of low cost technologies, technology transfer and collaborative Research and Development projects, he said.
Najib also called on the grouping to act more as Asean internationally, making the pact far stronger than as individual nations, that others would recognise, respect its rise and what has been achieved.
“Obviously, this did not happen by accident”. But Southeast Asia has not been inflicted by the kind of violence seen in the Middle East, where the Islamic State is most potent. “Asean can and should play a major role in shaping this Asian century, and work with our partners across the continents to shape a world of prosperity, peace and openness”, he said when opening the Asean and related summits here today.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come and visit this place is because globally we’re seeing an unprecedented number of refugees”.
Mr. Modi referred to the multiple global challenges such as economic uncertainties, political turmoil and security threats facing the world and said that, in this hard moment, India and ASEAN were two bright spots of optimism.
He also raised the issue of climate change, ahead of the crucial 12-day global meet in Paris from November 30. India has ambitious clean energy plans: “175 GW of additional capacity of renewable energy by 2022; and, 40% of energy through non-fossil fuel by 2030”, he said.
Mr. Modi said “We have launched a “Housing for All” program”.
U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang flew into Kuala Lumpur on Friday to attend the meetings and jostle for influence in the region.
“India-Japan ties have the greatest potential of any bilateral relationship in the world”, said Abe.
He said many civil society groups are concerned about restrictions on civil liberties and rights.
The Prime Minister said that policies like “Digital India” will contribute to the development of ASEAN countries. I assure you of its early completion.
He said with over 240 million Muslims, 140 million Buddhists, 130 million Christians and millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Confucians and those of others religions, as well as numerous ethnicities, Asean had a diversity that encouraged the people of the region to work together to overcome differences.
The leaders of 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations made the commitment during their summit Saturday. “For the first time since banks were nationalised, private sector professionals have been appointed in key positions”, he said.
“These are just a few examples”.
Prime Minister said the government was trying to remove the bottlenecks that were affecting growth process. We have taken several initiatives for transparency and online processing in IP administration.
Prime Minister addressing the ASEAN summit meeting said “Even as Prime Minister, my engagement with ASEAN started as soon as I took over”.
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Stating that a series of concerted steps including structural and institutional reforms have initiated, the Prime Minister said the government was “moving fast” to make sure tax regime is transparent and predictable where genuine investors and honest tax payers get quick and fair decisions.
