In attendance at the 20th ASEAN Summit on Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that ASEAN is a key component of India’s Act East policy and plays a significant role in the country’s Indo-Pacific initiative. The fourth decade of the India-ASEAN partnership has passed, and Prime Minister Modi said it is an honor to co-chair the Summit in his speech to the summit. He also commended Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, for organizing the Summit.
PM Modi highlighted the shared values, regional integration and shared beliefs in peace that unite India and the ASEAN.
“Our history and geography unite India and ASEAN. Along with it, our shared values, regional integration, and our shared belief in peace, prosperity and a multipolar world also unite us. ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East Policy. India supports ASEAN’s outlook on ASEAN-India centrality and Indo-Pacific,” PM Modi said in his address in Hindi.
In his opening remarks at the 20th ASEAN Summit, PM Modi said “This year’s theme is ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. ASEAN matters because here everyone’s voice is heard and ASEAN is epicentrum of growth because ASEAN plays an important role in global growth.”
He made reference to the G20 theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which is being led by India. PM Modi urged amplifying the voice of the global south as well. The celebration of the India-ASEAN Friendship Day in 2022, according to the prime minister, will transform the ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Prime Minister offered his congratulations to newly-installed Cambodian Prime Minister Hune Manet. He also mentioned Laos, which will lead ASEAN starting in 2024, as well as Singapore, the ASEAN Country Coordinator.
The PM also attended attend the East Asia Summit today.
Upon his arrival in the country earlier today, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Jakarta International Airport.