Page 27 - NIS English 2021 November 16-31

International
Indo-ASEAN 18th Summit

INDIA TO CELEBRATE 'ASEAN-INDIA FRIENDSHIP

YEAR' ON COMPLETING 30 YRS OF PARTNERSHIP

India has always been an advocate of a free, inclusive, and open maritime trade system in
the Indo-Pacific, for which in recent years Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given priority
to mutual relations between India and ASEAN countries under the Act East Policy.
Addressing the Indo-ASEAN 18th Summit, he described relations with ASEAN as very
important for India while at the 16th East Asia Summit he discussed the shared values
of multilateralism, rules-based international order, international law and sovereignty and
territorial integrity of all countries...

he goal of geostrategic stability in
Tthe Indo-Pacific has in recent years
become the focus of all dimensions of
strategic cooperation between India
and the ASEAN countries. With the
Act East Policy, India is continuously
strengthening its relations with ASEAN
countries. ASEAN, which is an association
of 10 member countries of Southeast
Asia with a population of more than 700 INDIA ALSO HOSTED ASEAN COUNTRIES ON REPUBLIC
million and a GDP of over Rs 250 lakh
crore, is not only important to India but DAY IN 2017
has remained a strategic partner in Indo- The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a
Pacific for India since its inception. In group of 10 important countries. The organization was started
the year 2022, when India completes 75 in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and
years of its independence, India-ASEAN Thailand. Later its member states included Brunei, Cambodia,
relations will also complete 30 years. Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The thinking of India and ASEAN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the is also similar on many important parameters. Along with the
summit held on 28 October with ASEAN issue of peace and security both are also unanimous on the
countries announced to celebrate it as concept of open, balanced, and inclusive development in the
the Year of India-ASEAN Friendship. In region. Under the policy of Look East, India has improved its
his address, Prime Minister Modi said, relations with ASEAN countries, while Prime Minister Narendra
“History is witness that India and ASEAN Modi redesigned mutual relations with the policy of Act East,
have vibrant relations for thousands in 2017 by inviting them as the chief guest for the Republic Day
of years. Our shared values, traditions, parade.
languages, texts, architecture, culture, Along with this, India set a new milestone in these relations
food, and drink are visible everywhere. by launching the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative in 2019. While
That is why the unity of ASEAN has been ASEAN is an association of 10 countries in Southeast Asia,
India's priority." Addressing the East Asia the East Asia Summit is a forum led by prominent leaders in
Summit on October 27, a day earlier, Prime the Indo-Pacific region. It includes India, China, Japan, South
Minister Narendra Modi said, "India has Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Russia,
always preferred to focus on the principle apart from the 10 ASEAN member states. Since its inception
of ASEAN centrality in a free, open, and in 2005, it has played an important role in the strategic and
inclusive Indo-Pacific region." geopolitical development of East Asia.

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