PM Modi Arrives in Jakarta, Kicks Off Short but Important ASEAN Visit – News18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Indonesia on Thursday to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits during which he will engage with the leaders of the strategically important region on issues of regional and global importance.

“PM @narendramodi arrives in Jakarta to participate in @ASEAN related Summits. An opportunity to engage with the leaders of ASEAN and EAS on important regional and global issues,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted on X.

He received a warm ceremonial welcome at the Jakarta International Airport as began his short but important trip to the Southeast Asian country. Given that the G20 summit follows shortly after the ASEAN Summits, it will be a short visit. Immediately after the meetings in Jakarta, PM Modi will return to Delhi, where India is hosting the G20 on September 9 and 10.

On his X account, PM Modi said he is looking forward to the ASEAN-related meetings and to working with various leaders to make a better planet. Before his departure from New Delhi, Modi said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the ASEAN has injected new dynamism into the group’s ties with New Delhi.

Shortly after he landed, Modi arrived at the hotel in Jakarta where members of the Indian diaspora greeted and shook hands with the PM. In the capital city of Indonesia, Modi will attend the ASEAN-India Summit and will take part in the East Asia Summit. In his departure statement, Modi said engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy.

“I look forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders the future contours of our partnership, which has now entered its fourth decade. Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership entered into last year has injected new dynamism in our ties,” he said.

After the ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister will attend the 18th East Asia Summit. “This forum provides a useful opportunity to deliberate on issues of importance to the region including food and energy security, environment, health, and digital transformation.”

The Prime Minister earlier said he looks forward to exchanging views with other EAS Leaders on practical cooperation measures to collectively address these global challenges. The India-ASEAN summit holds greater significance this year since it is the first one after the elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which happened last year.

Addressing a special press briefing Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, said India’s relations with ASEAN are a central pillar of the country’s Act East policy, as well as of its vision of the wider Indo-Pacific. “India and ASEAN share similar vision for the Indo-Pacific and are committed to building on the synergy between ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” he added.

This year, Indonesia is the chair of ASEAN. The theme of their chairship is ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’. Within this framework, Indonesia organised a flagship event, ‘ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum’, to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.