New Delhi: On the historic occasion of 69th Republic Day, an op-ed written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday published by 27 newspapers in 10 languages in 10 ASEANcountries. In the article, PM Modi stated that India and ASEAN have relations “free from contests and claims” and believe in sovereign equality of all nations irrespective of size, and support for free and open pathways of commerce and engagement.
In the article titled as ‘shared values, common destiny’ in the Straits Times, PM Modi stressed on the importance of India’s ties with ASEAN, which comprises Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
“India and ASEAN nations have relations free from contests and claims,” Modi said. “We have a common vision for the future, built on commitment to inclusion and integration, belief in sovereign equality of all nations irrespective of size, and support for free and open pathways of commerce and engagement,” he said.
The prime minister also said that he had the privilege to host the ASEAN leaders for the commemorative summit to mark 25 years of ASEAN-India partnership. In the article, he pointed out that it is a historic milestone in a remarkable journey that has brought India and ASEAN to a deepening partnership of great promise for their 1.9 billion people, about one-fourth of humankind.
He underscored that although the partnership between India and ASEAN may be just 25 years old, India’s ties with South-east Asia stretch back more than two millennia.
More than two decades ago, India opened itself to the world with tectonic changes. And, with instincts honed over centuries of interaction, it turned naturally to the East. Thus began a new journey of India’s reintegration with the East, the Prime Minister said.
“For India, most of our major partners and markets – from ASEAN to East Asia to North America – lie to the East. And south-east Asia and ASEAN, our neighbors by land and sea, have been the springboard of our Look East and, since the last three years, the Act East policy,” he said.
Along the way, from dialogue partners, ASEAN and India have become strategic partners, he said. “We advance our broad-based partnership through 30 mechanisms. With each ASEAN member, we have growing diplomatic, economic and security partnership. We work together to keep our seas safe and secure. Our trade and investment flows have multiplied several times,” Modi said.
ASEAN is India’s fourth-largest trading partner, while India is ASEAN’s seventh. Over 20 per cent of India’s outbound investments go to ASEAN. Led by Singapore, ASEAN is India’s leading source of investments.
India’s free trade agreements in the region are its oldest and among the most ambitious anywhere. Air links have expanded rapidly and we are extending highways deep into continental South-east Asia with new urgency and priority. Growing connectivity has reinforced proximity. It has also put India among the fastest-growing sources of tourism in South-east Asia.
“The over six-million-strong Indian diaspora in the region – rooted in diversity and steeped in dynamism -constitutes an extraordinary human bond between us,” the Prime Minister said. “Today, it is our gateway to the East, our leading economic partner and a major global strategic partner, which resonates in our membership in several regional and global forums. Singapore and India share a strategic partnership.
“Our political relations are infused with goodwill, warmth and trust. Our defense ties are among the strongest for both. Our economic partnership covers every area of priority for our two nations. Singapore is India’s leading destination and source of investments. Thousands of Indian companies are registered in Singapore,” he said.
Sixteen Indian cities have over 240 direct flights every week to Singapore. Indians make up the third-largest group of tourists in Singapore.
“India and ASEAN are doing much more. Our partnership in ASEAN-led institutions like the East Asia Summit, ADMM+ (ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus) and ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum) is advancing peace and stability in our region,” he said.
“India is also an eager participant in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, seeking a comprehensive, balanced and fair agreement for all 16 participants.
“With every passing day, it is easier and smoother to do business in India. I hope that ASEAN nations, as our neighbors and friends, will be an integral part of New India’s transformation,” Modi added.
India Tribune, as an English weekly newspaper, was launched in 1977 in Chicago by its publisher Prashant Shah with a lofty ideal to serve the Asian Indian community in the USA. Over the years, it has grown with all vigor, and now it is being published in three editions – Chicago, New York and Atlanta. India Tribune, a journal of its kind for the family in the USA, has been a household name for many Indians for over three decades with each issue commanding a readership of over 125,000.
