New Delhi: Leaders of India and ASEAN today discussed ways to boost maritime security, connectivity and trade, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India shares the ASEAN vision for rule-based societies and pitched for freedom of navigation in the region.
The India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, with highest-level
of participation from all the 10 member-countries of the
grouping, began with Modi releasing commemorative stamps in
the presence of ASEAN leaders to mark 25 years of Indo-ASEAN
ties.
Addressing the plenary session, Modi said India shares
the ASEAN's vision for rule-based societies and values of
peace.
Freedom of navigation will be a key focus of India-ASEAN
in the maritime domain, he said.
The highest-level of participation at the summit comes in
the backdrop of increasing Chinese economic and military
assertiveness in the region.
Some experts feel that the meet can be an opportunity
for India to present itself as a powerful ally to these
countries in the strategic areas of trade and connectivity.
The ASEAN leaders will also be chief guests at the
Republic Day tomorrow which was termed by Modi as "historic
and unprecedented".
According to officials, the summit is expected to give
boost to India-ASEAN cooperation in key areas of counter-
terrorism, security and connectivity.
Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind hosted a lunch in
honour of ASEAN leaders, who along with Modi also participated
in a retreat session during which the leaders had a "free and
frank" discussion on "maritime cooperation and security".
Modi had also had bilateral meetings with six ASEAN
leaders, including his counterparts from Thailand and
Singapore, which is the current chair of the ASEAN grouping.
PTI
