NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for Myanmar to participate in the ASEAN and the East Asia summits.
In the first leg of his 10-day three nations tour, the Prime Minister would reach Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon. He would also be heading to Australia to attend the G-20 summit in Brisbane and will go to Fiji on his return journey. In a departure statement, the Prime Minister said, “the ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterised by cooperation and integration.”
He said ten-nation ASEAN community had the third largest population; it would be the seventh largest economy in the world; and the third fastest growing economic unit this century. “This dynamic region is our continental and maritime neighbour, linked by centuries-old ties. ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterised by cooperation and integration,” he said.
Mr Modi said he is looking forward to discuss with ASEAN leaders how to take their relationship to a new level, which will supplement deepening bilateral ties with each member. On November 12, he will be participating in the ASEAN Summit and the next day scheduled to address the East Asia summit. During his stay in Myanmar, the Prime Minister would have bilateral meeting with the president of the host country.
Pro-democracy leader of Myanmar Ms Aung San Suu Kyi would also call on the Prime Minister, officials in the External Affairs Ministry have confirmed.
Mr Modi would seek global cooperation against black money and enhancing India’s strategic, economic and political relations with countries of these regions.
On the sidelines of the summits, Mr Modi is scheduled to meet around 40 world leaders in different formats of the talks. In Nay Pye Taw, Mr Modi will have a structured meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang assisted by their respective delegation.
This bilateral would be held on the margins of the East Asia and ASEAN Summits.
In Brisbane, Mr Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the G20 Summit, but it would be in an informal settings.
Besides, the Prime Minister will also meet his UK counterpart David Cameroon, French President Francois Hollande, Canadian President Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey. The Prime Minister would also address three public gatherings of the people of Indian origin in Australia. (AGENCIES)
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