Modi arrives in Laos to attend ASEAN, East Asia Summits
- India has been seeking to join the exclusive 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
- PM Narendra Modi has attended the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the APEC summits thrice so far.
- Modi has scheduled to have several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of these summits.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here today in the Laotian capital to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia Summits to strengthen India's trade and security ties with the strategic Southeast Asian region.
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During his two-day visit, Modi is scheduled to have several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summits, beginning with an interaction with Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe today.
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"Greetings Vientiane! PM @narendramodi arrives in Laos for a packed 2 days of diplomacy," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
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The host nation, Laos will organise a gala dinner this evening for all heads of state. This will be followed by Modi's bilateral talks with Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith.
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The talks between the two leaders are likely to focus on terrorism, maritime security, disaster management, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
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India has been seeking to join the exclusive 21-member APEC. This is the third time that Modi is attending these two Summits.
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"ASEAN is a key partner for our 'Act East' policy, which is vital for the economic development of our Northeastern region," Modi had said in a statement in New Delhi ahead of the Summits.
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East Asia Summit is the premier forum for discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia-Pacific region, he had said.
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India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit.
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Future directions under the three pillars of politico-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation will be the focus of talks at the 14th ASEAN-India summit.
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At the 11th East Asia Summit, leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concerns including maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and irregular migration.Â
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The summits will be attended by Heads of State/Government of the 10 ASEAN and 18 East Asia Summit participating countries respectively.
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India's engagement with the ASEAN and wider Asia-Pacific region has acquired further momentum following the enunciation of the 'Act-East Policy' by Modi at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit and 9th East Asia Summit in Myanmar in November 2014.
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The leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.
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2017 will mark 25 years of India's dialogue partnership with ASEAN, and several commemorative activities will also be announced by Modi to celebrate the occasion.
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ASEAN is a strategic partner of India since 2012. India and ASEAN have 30 dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly.
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Trade between India and ASEAN stood at USD 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12%Â of India's total trade with the world.
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The ASEAN-India economic integration process has got a fillip with the creation of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area in July 2015, following the entry into force of the ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements.
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Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia.