Indian PM Calls to Further Cement Ties with ASEAN

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) and Bruneian Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (R) with their counterpart Narendra Modi at Mughal Gardens, in the Presidential Palace, New Delhi, on Jan 25, 2018. — Bernama photo.

New Delhi, MINA – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the fields of counter terrorism, security and connectivity.

Modi held talks with the leaders of ASEAN countries who are in New Delhi participating in the two-day ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to mark 25 years of establishing ties, KUNA reported, quoting the statement of the Ministry of External Affairs Thursday.

Modi, addressing the plenary session of the inaugural event Thursday, said that New Delhi is keen to further develop the partnership with the ASEAN countries as they are at the centre of India’s Act East Policy.

He told the heads of states and PMs of ASEAN countries that “our trade has grown 25 times in 25 years, investments are robust and growing.”

“We will continue to work with ASEAN to enhance our trade ties. The success of recent events, the ASEAN India business meetings have shown encouraging results. We will further enhance trade ties and work towards greater interaction among our business communities,” he added.

Modi welcomed the ASEAN leaders as chief guests at the Republic Day Celebration slated to be held on Friday stating friendship between the two sides is nurtured by common cultural and civilisational values.

He pledged to cement further strategic partnership evolving since 1992 into strong trade relation and maritime cooperation.

“India shares the ASEAN vision for rule based societies and values of peace,” he added. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency MINA)