PM Modi meets Antony Blinken on sidelines of ASEAN Summit

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos on Friday, October 11.

Modi extended his condolences on the fatalities caused by Hurricane Milton in the US and also discussed strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in regional matters during the meeting. The meeting highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between India and the US, reaffirming their commitment to working together on global and regional challenges.

Earlier on Thursday October 10, Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan and New Zealand on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos. He congratulated the newly-appointed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on his new responsibility and wished him success in leading Japan to greater heights. He also underscored that India will continue to accord the highest priority to its ties with Japan, a trusted friend and strategic partner.

The Prime Minister also met New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon, this was the first meeting between the two leaders. Modi welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance and invited Luxon to visit India on mutually convenient dates, which he accepted.

During the ASEAN summit, Modi said that the 21st century is the “Asian century” of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. “I believe that the 21st century is the Asian century of India and ASEAN countries. Today, when there is a situation of conflict and tension in many parts of the world, the friendship, coordination, dialogue and cooperation between India and ASEAN remains very important,” he said.

The 10-point plan to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership includes enhancing physical, digital, cultural, and spiritual connectivity to achieve cyber, disaster, supply chain, health, and climate resilience.

Later, while addressing the 19th East Asia Summit Modi said that solutions to problems can’t come from battlefields. “The countries of the Global South are facing the most negative impact of the conflicts in different regions of the world. Everyone wants restoration of peace and stability as soon as possible whether it is Eurasia or West Asia,” Modi said. “I come from the land of the Buddha, and I have said repeatedly that this is not an age for war. Keeping a humanitarian perspective, dialogue, and diplomacy must be given priority. Our approach should be of evolution and not expansionism.”

He also highlighted that peace, security, and stability of the South China Sea are in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region. Advocating for maritime activities under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he suggested a strong and effective Code of Conduct that does not impose restrictions on the foreign policy of regional countries. On the Myanmar situation, he said that India supports the ASEAN approach to the situation in Myanmar and assured that as a neighboring country, “We will continue to fulfill its responsibilities.”

He emphasized maintaining humanitarian assistance and appropriate steps to restore democracy. “We believe that, for this, Myanmar must be engaged, not isolated.” Modi also called upon forces that believe in humanity to combat terrorism that poses a serious challenge to global peace and security. He also sought to strengthen cooperation in the areas of cyber, maritime, and space.