Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Jakarta today. He is at the capital of Indonesia in order to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit.
Speaking at the summit, Modi said that ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was the epicentre of growth, and that it played a crucial role in global development. “The 21st century is Asia’s century; it is a century of all of us,” he said.
The prime minister called for a rules-based post-COVID world order and a stronger voice for the Global South. He also underlined the need for ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, and referred to “efforts by all (Sabka Prayas)” for human welfare.
“ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East policy,” said PM Modi in his summit address.
Considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, ASEAN has as its member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. India and several other countries, including the United States of America, China, Japan, and Australia, are its dialogue partners.