India committed to peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region: PM Modi in Singapore
The EAS consists of 10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India is committed to peaceful and prosperous Indo Pacific region.
PM Modi, while attending the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore, gave a call for enhancing multilateral cooperation, economic and cultural ties among member nations.
“At the East Asia Summit in Singapore, I shared my thoughts on enhancing multilateral cooperation, economic and cultural ties among member nations. Also reiterated India's commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Pacific region,” PM Modi tweeted.
On Thursday, Prime Minister participated in the ASEAN-India Breakfast Summit. For the prosperity of the strategic Indo-Pacific region, he underlined the need for maritime cooperation and centrality of trade.
“Had a great interaction with ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-India Informal Breakfast Summit. We are happy that ties with ASEAN are strong and are contributing to a peaceful and prosperous planet,” Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi also met with the NCC cadets who got the opportunity to visit Singapore as a part of a cadet exchange programme.
“Wonderful moments with my young friends. Spent time with NCC cadets, who got the opportunity to come to Singapore as a part of a cadet exchange programme. They shared their memorable learnings and experiences with me,” Modi tweeted.
Later, he attended the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) during which he reiterated India's vision of a peaceful, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and strengthening maritime cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s vision of a peaceful, open and inclusive Indo Pacific region, strengthening maritime cooperation and commitment to a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.
The RCEP, involving 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) as well as China, Japan, Australia, India, New Zealand and South Korea, would cover about half the world’s population and a third of its GDP.
Modi also felicitated the winners of the first India-Singapore Hackathon, a platform for the youth of the two countries to harness and showcase their innovations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for India on Thursday after completing two-day visit to Singapore.
"PM @narendramodi departs for Delhi after a productive 36-hour visit to Singapore that highlighted our importance to East Asia Summit and ASEAN-led mechanisms to regional peace, prosperity & security," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar.
The prime minister, who arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, held extensive talks with Vice President Pence on a wide range of bilateral and global issues of mutual interests, including defence and trade cooperation, ways to counter terrorism and the need for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, where China is flexing its muscles.
Modi on Wednesday also held bilateral meetings with the premiers of Singapore, Australia and Thailand and discussed ways to further strengthen ties, including in areas of trade, defence and security.
He also delivered the keynote address at the prestigious Fintech Festival - the first head of government to address the world's largest event on financial technology.
It was Prime Minister Modi's 5th East Asia Summit. India has been participating in the East Asia Summit since its very inception in 2005.
The EAS consists of 10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.
Before leaving for Singapore, PM Modi said, “I will be visiting Singapore on 14-15 November, to participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. In addition, I would also participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Leaders' Meeting.”
“My participation in these meetings symbolizes our continued commitment to strengthening our engagement with ASEAN Member States and with the wider Indo-Pacific region. I am looking forward to my interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)