Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Laos from October 10 to 11 for the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit, aimed at bolstering cooperation and economic relationships with Southeast Asian nations. The visit comes at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, as Laos currently holds the chairmanship of the 10-member ASEAN bloc.
The upcoming summits will serve as critical platforms for reviewing the progress of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN, which includes key bilateral partners like Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The East Asia Summit will bring together ASEAN members and eight significant dialogue partners, including India, Australia, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States, to discuss regional issues.
The External Affairs Ministry emphasized that India is celebrating a decade of its “Act East” policy this year, which positions relations with ASEAN as a cornerstone of this strategy and India’s broader Indo-Pacific vision. The ministry noted that the ASEAN-India Summit will assess the existing partnership and outline future cooperative initiatives.
There has been speculation regarding a potential meeting between Modi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit, especially amid the ongoing military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, no official confirmation has been provided from either side regarding such discussions.
Recent months have seen Modi engaging with various ASEAN leaders, including visits to Vietnam and Malaysia, where bilateral relations were elevated to comprehensive strategic partnerships. In September, he also visited Brunei and Singapore, focusing on trade, fintech, digitalization, and space cooperation. Notably, the visit to Brunei marked the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the nation.
In recent developments, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore to establish a semiconductor ecosystem partnership, aiming to enhance advanced manufacturing and strengthen supply chains. Additionally, as Timor-Leste prepares to become ASEAN’s 11th member, India has operationalized a resident mission in Dili.
The Indian government has also been proactive in humanitarian efforts, providing 45 tonnes of emergency assistance to Laos and Vietnam following Typhoon Yagi. The launch of direct flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi in June 2024, along with anticipated flights between India and Brunei, underscores India’s commitment to enhancing connectivity within the region.
With the ASEAN-India Summit approaching, Modi’s visit is poised to solidify India’s role in Southeast Asia and strengthen ties with one of its most important regional partners.
Sources By Agencies
