New Delhi:

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

During the meeting, PM Modi extended his condolences on the loss of lives due to Hurricane Milton in the US and also discussed strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in regional matters.

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, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan and New Zealand on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos.

PM Modi 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 which was the first meeting between the two leaders. PM Modi welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance and also extended an invitation to Luxon to visit India on mutually convenient dates, which he accepted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday during the ASEAN summit, 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 remarked.

During the Summit, Prime Minister Modi announced a 10-point plan to strengthen connectivity and resilience based on Laos’ theme as the 2024 ASEAN Chair and in celebration of 10 years of the ‘Act East’ policy.

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

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Laos on October 10 and 11 during which he will attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (October 8, 2024).

Laos is the current chair of ASEAN.

Watch: India’s ASEAN outreach | Importance of PM Modi’s SE Asia visit

On the invitation of his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Modi will visit Vientiane on October 10-11, the MEA said in a statement.

During the visit, Mr. Modi will attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit being hosted by Laos as the current chair of ASEAN, it said.

Mr.Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the two summits, according to the MEA.

“India is marking a decade of the Act East Policy this year. Relations with ASEAN are a central pillar of the Act East Policy and our Indo-Pacific vision,” the MEA said.

The ASEAN-India Summit will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations through “our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and chart the future direction of cooperation.

“The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum that contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region, provides an opportunity for leaders of EAS Participating Countries, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance,” the Ministry said.

Jakarta:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Indonesia on Thursday morning to attend the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summits during which he will discuss the future contours of India’s partnership with the countries in the strategically important region.

“PM @narendramodi lands in Jakarta,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted on social media platform X.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia

PM Modi will attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta today pic.twitter.com/9xYC2UVMa6

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2023

Ahead of his departure from New Delhi, PM Modi said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the ASEAN has injected new dynamism into the group’s ties with New Delhi.

In Jakarta, PM Modi will attend the ASEAN-India Summit and will take part in the East Asia Summit.

Immediately after the meetings, he will return to Delhi, where India is hosting the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10.

“Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy,” PM Modi said in his departure statement.

“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. I look forward to exchanging views with other EAS Leaders on practical cooperation measures to collectively address these global challenges,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)