Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that ASEAN’s unity and centrality have always been a top priority for India. “India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook for the Indo-Pacific are the basis for their shared vision and mutual collaboration in the Indo-Pacific area,” Modi said through video conference at the 18th India-ASEAN Summit.
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Cooperation during the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the PM, will deepen our partnership. The PM further mentioned that the India-ASEAN cooperation will be 30 years old in 2022. India will also celebrate its 75th anniversary of independence. I am happy that this significant milestone will be commemorated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year.”
On the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei, he attended the conference. On the India-ASEAN Summit, Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary-East, MEA, said, “PM Modi emphasised the importance of ASEAN in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. He emphasised that ASEAN relationship is a critical component of India’s Act East Policy.” PM Modi also reviewed achievements in critical sectors such as COVID-19, health, trade and commerce, connectivity, and education and culture.
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The leaders will also debate crucial regional and international topics, including as the economic recovery following the epidemic. Annual ASEAN-India summits give India and ASEAN with the chance to engage at the highest level. In November of last year, Prime Minister Modi virtually attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit. Modi attended the 18th ASEAN-India Summit for the ninth time.
