PM Modi calls on ASEAN countries to intensify joint cooperation in addressing issue of terrorism
Manila, November 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday raised a voice against terrorism at the India-ASEAN Summit which was held in Manila, Philippines. PM Modi called on the ASEAN countries to jointly address the issue of terrorism by intensifying cooperation in this crucial area.
While addressing the 15th ASEAN-India Summit in Manila, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We have individually strived very hard to fight terrorism and violent extremism. It is a time that we jointly address this challenge by intensifying cooperation in this crucial area.”
PM Modi also expressed his confidence in the ASEAN committee to resolve to work together with one vision, one identity and as one independent community. “India’s Act East Policy is shaped around the ASEAN, and its centrality in the regional security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region is evident,” he added.
PM Modi further said, “Our wide-ranging agenda of cooperation under the 3rd ASEAN-India Plan of Action has progressed well covering the three crucial pillars of politico-security, economic and cultural partnership.”
Talking on the maritime issues, PM Modi said, “Maritime links established thousands of years ago between India and ASEAN countries have enabled our trade relations in the past and we have to work closely to further strengthen them.” He also said that India assures the ASEAN of its steady support towards achieving a rules-based regional security architecture that best attests to the region’s interests and its peaceful development.
Pitching on terrorism, PM Modi said that we have suffered due to the menace of terror. “The time has come for us to unite and think about mitigating terrorism,” PM Modi noted. Concluding his addressin in ASEAN summit, PM Modi said that 1.25 billion people of India are keen to welcome the ASEAN Leaders as our Chief Guests at India’s 69th Republic Day Celebrations.
Earlier, in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a bilateral talk with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and signed four agreements. The two countries signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including Defence Cooperation and Logistics, agriculture, Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises-MSME. Another MoU was signed to build a closer relationship between the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Philippines Foreign Service Institute. Along with these MoUs, it has been decided to establish ICCR chair in University of Philippines.
Prime Minister also met several others. He met Australian PM Turnbull Malcolm and discussed close cooperation to optimize the significant potential for further cooperation across a broad range of areas. He also had a discussion with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Importantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Manila on Sunday to take part in ASEAN Business and Investment Summit. On the sidelines of ASEAN he met and interacted with various world leaders including US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. A gala dinner was hosted by Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of the summit.