New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 47th ASEAN Summit on Sunday. During this, Prime Minister Modi said that India and ASEAN together represent 25 percent of the world’s population. This shows how strong India and other ASEAN countries are. He said that these countries have deep and historical relations with India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness on joining the ASEAN family and congratulated the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim for the successful hosting of the conference.
PM Modi stressed that ASEAN is a pillar of India’s “Act East Policy” and cooperation between the two is important for regional stability and prosperity. He said that India and ASEAN are the charioteers of the “Global South” and India stands firmly with its ASEAN friendly countries at the time of every disaster. He said that India does not leave each of its friendly countries alone under any circumstances. If a friendly country needs us, India is seen standing with them.
PM Modi further said, ‘I welcome Timor-Leste as the newest member of ASEAN. I express my condolences on the demise of the Queen Mother of Thailand. India and ASEAN together represent one-fourth of the world’s population. We share not only geography, but also deep historical ties and shared values. We are part of the Global South. We share not only trade ties but also cultural ties.
US President Donald Trump has reached Malaysia just before the 47th ASEAN Summit starting from Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. It is believed that this visit of Trump is his first official visit to Asia after returning to power in the White House. This is being seen as a sign of America’s active participation again in the Indo-Pacific region. The region’s economies are under pressure from the impact of US tariffs and trade policies, and the summit comes at a time when ASEAN’s neutrality and collectivity are being tested.
This year’s conference is being considered historic in many ways. East Timor-Leste has been formally made the 11th member country of ASEAN. This is the first expansion of the block after 26 years. This small country with a population of about 14 lakh will now become a part of ASEAN’s trade, investment and development framework.