In Manila, Modi calls for joint efforts with ASEAN to mitigate terror

Fifty years of ASEAN was an occasion of pride, joy and a time for its members to think about what more they could achieve, he notes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 12th East Asia Summit in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday.

India has suffered much from terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out at the ASEAN-India summit on Tuesday and called for joint efforts to mitigate the menace.

Mr. Modi said India would continue its support to ASEAN for a rules-based security architecture for the region. “We have suffered due to the menace of terror. The time has come for us to unite and think about mitigating terrorism,” he observed.

Fifty years of ASEAN was an occasion of pride, joy and a time for its members to think about what more they could achieve, he noted.

India placed ASEAN at the core of its ‘Act East Policy.’ “Our ties with ASEAN are old and we want to further strengthen cooperation,'' he said, adding that 125 crore Indians were waiting to welcome the ASEAN leaders as Chief Guests of the 2018 Republic Day.

Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei are the members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Modi-Chinese Premier have a chit-chat

Mr. Modi on Tuesday held a brief interaction with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia summit in Manila.

Both had a chit-chat on Sunday also during a gala dinner hosted by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Two neighbours in deep conversation. PM @narendramodi with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the margins of #EastAsiaSummit Summit in #Manila,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a photograph of the two leaders engaging in a conversation,sitting on a sofa.

It was not immediately known what transpired at the meeting.