Fri Oct 11 03:42:16 UTC 2024: ## Modi to Discuss Indo-Pacific Security and Future Cooperation at East Asia Summit in Laos
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Laos this week to attend the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-India Summit, focusing on challenges to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi emphasized the importance of the meetings for strengthening India’s ties with Southeast Asian nations, noting the “comprehensive strategic partnership” between India and ASEAN. His visit comes as India celebrates a decade of its “Act East” policy, which aims to deepen engagement with the region.
The East Asia Summit, which brings together ASEAN members, eight partner countries including India, and Timor-Leste, will provide a platform to discuss security concerns and chart a course for future cooperation. Modi highlighted the shared cultural and civilizational ties between India and Southeast Asia, including Laos, emphasizing their shared Buddhist heritage and Ramayana traditions.
Beyond the summits, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders and witness a performance of the Laotian Ramayana. This visit also coincides with growing air connectivity between India and ASEAN members, with direct flights to seven countries currently operational and plans for two more by year’s end.
India’s participation in the East Asia Summit and ASEAN-India Summit is seen as a crucial step in strengthening its strategic and economic ties with the Southeast Asian region, particularly as the Indo-Pacific region continues to face complex security challenges.
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