Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India shares the ASEAN vision for rule based societies and values of peace.
Addressing the plenary session of ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi, Modi said that ASEAN is at the centre of India's Act East Policy and that New Delhi is committed to work with ASEAN nations to enhance collaboration in the maritime domain.
The Summit, which marks 25 years of India-ASEAN partnership, is being attended by all 10 leaders of ASEAN countries.
As it happened:
# PM Modi and ASEAN Heads of State/Governments at the Mughal Garden in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
6:19 pm: The Ramayana, the ancient India epic continues to be a valuable shared legacy in ASEAN & Indian subcontinent. Buddhism also binds us closely. Islam in many parts of South East Asia has distinctive Indian connection going back several centuries: PM
6:14 pm: In highlights the importance of our strategic partnership placing ASEAN at the centre of India's Act East Policy. Our friendship has been nurtured by our shared culture & civilisation linkages: PM Modi
# Freedom of navigation will be a key focus of India, ASEAN in the maritime domain: PM Modi
6:11 pm: Since 1992 our partnership has evolved, we have made success in implementing objective of ASEAN-India partisanship for peace, progress and shared prosperity through five year plan of action: PM Modi
# Your collective presence in India has touched hearts of my fellow 1.25 Indians: PM Modi
6:09 pm: Delighted to welcome you all to the ASEAN-India commemorative summit. Our shared voyage goes back thousands of years. It is India's privilege to host the ASEAN leaders. The leaders will be our honoured guests at the Republic Day celebrations: PM Modi
Earlier in the day, MEA Secretary East Preeti Saran said that the PM has termed the gesture of 10 ASEAN leaders participating in the Republic Day as historic and unprecedented.
According to her, ASEAN leaders in turn conveyed deep appreciation for PM Narendra Modi's speech at World Economic Forum in Davos.
