Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to establish an Indian Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste after attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit on Thursday. Timor-Leste participated in the Summit as an observer. "The decision is a reflection of the importance India attaches to ASEAN, and its relations with Timor Leste," the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

The Indian Prime Minister also presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-ASEAN cooperation in areas like digital transformation, trade and economic engagement while addressing contemporary challenges like terrorism and deepening the strategic partnership.

What these 12 points included?

• Establishing multi-modal connectivity and economic corridor that links South-East Asia-India-West Asia-Europe

• Offered to share India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Stack with ASEAN partners

• Announced ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future focusing on cooperation in digital transformation and financial connectivity

• Announced renewal of support to Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to act as knowledge partner for enhancing our engagement.

• Called for collectively raising issues being faced by Global South in multilateral fora

• Invited ASEAN countries to join Global Centre for Traditional Medicine being established by WHO in India

• Called for working together on Mission LiFE

• Offered to share India’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines to people through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras

• Called for collective fight against terrorism, terror financing and cyber-disinformation

• Invited ASEAN countries to join Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• Called for cooperation in disaster management

• Called for enhanced cooperation on maritime safety, security and domain awareness

Prime Minister Modi's proposal came days after a number of ASEAN member countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines reacted sharply to China's territorial claim over the South China Sea in its latest edition of the "Standard Map of China". India had also rejected China's new map which showed Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as Chinese territories.

What else happened at ASEAN Summit

Two joint statements — one on Maritime Cooperation, and the other on Food Security — were also adopted at the summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

At the summit, PM Modi held "extensive discussions with ASEAN partners on further strengthening of ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and charting its future course", the ministry said.

In an update on X, PM Modi tweet, "The ASEAN-India Summit is testament to our shared vision and collaboration for a better future. We look forward to working together in futuristic sectors which will enhance human progress."

What was discussed at ASEAN Summit

The prime minister reaffirmed ASEAN's centrality in the Indo-Pacific region. He also highlighted the synergies between India's Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He further emphasised the need to complete the review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) in a time-bound manner.

"The meeting reviewed the progress made under ASEAN-India dialogue relations and welcomed the adoption of the Annex to the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2021-2025)," news agency PTI cited a statement issued by the ASEAN.

"Reiterating both sides’ shared vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous, rules-based, open and inclusive region, the Leaders of ASEAN and India also adopted the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation, " it said.

PM Modi's address at ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Modi, on Thursday, at the ASEAN-India Summit said the 21st century "is Asia's century, our century". In his address, he emphasised the importance of establishing "a rule-based post-COVID world order and collective particpation towards human welfare." He also spoke about "free and open Indo-pacific" and amplifying the voice of the global south.

PM Modi, who arrived in Indonesia early on Thursday morning, said that it is an "honour" for him to co-chair the ASEAN-India summit. "Last year we celebrated the India-ASEAN friendship day and gave it a form of comprehensive strategic partnership...," Modi said.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders of the ASEAN, pose for a photograph amid the 20TH ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/KWpFCDp29c

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2023

He also congratulated Indonesian President Joko Widodo for organising the Summit and said, "Our partnership has reached the fourth decade. It is an honour for me to co-chair this Summit. I want to congratulate Indonesian President Joko Widodo for organising this Summit..."

The Indian Prime Minister said that ASEAN is the central pillar of India's Act East policy and it has an important place in India's Indo-Pacific initiative. He said India supports ASEAN's outlook on ASEAN-India centrality and Indo-Pacific.

Highlighting the shared values, regional integration and shared beliefs, he said, "Our history and geography unite India and ASEAN. Along with it, our shared values, regional integration, and our shared belief in peace, prosperity and a multipolar world also unite us."

#WATCH | At the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Our history and geography unite India and ASEAN. Along with it, our shared values, regional integration, and our shared belief in peace, prosperity and a multipolar world also unite us.… pic.twitter.com/u7oUNXKqS2

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2023

In his opening remarks at the 20th ASEAN Summit, PM Modi said "This year's theme is ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. ASEAN matters because here everyone's voice is heard and ASEAN is epicentrum of growth because ASEAN plays an important role in global growth."

He also referred to 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future that is the theme of the G20 under Indian presidency.

PM Modi's grand welcome

Before addressing the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders of the ASEAN, posed for a photograph amid the 20TH ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

PM Modi received a grand welcome as he arrived in Indonesia on Thursday morning to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits early Thursday. He was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Indonesia.

"Landed in Jakarta. Looking forward to the ASEAN related meetings and to working with various leaders for making a better planet," Modi posted on social media platform X.

Members of Indian Diaspora greeted and shook hands with PM Modi as he arrives at hotel in Jakarta. Many children also gathered at hotel to welcome PM Modi on his arrival.

"He (PM Modi) is such a big leader but he is so down to earth, he shook hands with all of us and gave time to each one of us...", a member of the Indian Diaspora was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

A video shared by ANI on X, formerly known Twitter, showed PM Modi greeting members of the Indian Diaspora gathered at hotel in Jakarta.

#WATCH | Today, my team had the chance to perform the opening dance for welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was a great experience for us. It is really nice to see him. It was a thrilling experience for all of us..." said members of the India diaspora who welcomed PM Modi… pic.twitter.com/INbfzRlyhL

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2023

ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

What's next in Modi's schedule?

India is hosting the G20 Leaders's Summit on September 9 and 10. This is how PM Modi’s three days look before the start of G20:

After attending events in Japakarta, PM Modi took part in the East Asia Summit at 8:45am IST.

Immediately after the meeting, the Prime Minister will depart for the airport and emplane for Delhi at 11:45am IST and land in Delhi around 6:45pm IST.

On September 8, PM Modi will hold important bilateral meetings with three countries, which includes a meeting with President Biden.

First Published:Sept 7, 2023 11:40 AM IST