Giving impetus to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a series of meetings in Laos, where the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits are being held.
PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Laos at an invitation extended by his counterpart Sonexay Siphandon, was given a ceremonial guard of honor upon his arrival. He also took part in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of Laos.
Hundreds of members of the Indian community in Laos welcomed PM Modi upon his arrival in Vientiane. The Prime Minister spoke to NRIs, signed photographs and watched the Bihu dance being performed to welcome them.
The welcome to Lao PDR was memorable! The Indian community is clearly very attached to its roots. Local people were talking in Hindi and doing Bihu dance, this was also a pleasure! Must see… pic.twitter.com/DqcTQmPdNK
-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 10 October 2024
ancient relations
India and Laos have a shared heritage and culture and the Prime Minister today watched an episode of the Lao Ramayana, called Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Rama in Laos. The display highlighted the rich and shared relations between the two countries.
“Vijayadashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR, I saw a part of Lao Ramayana, which highlights the victory of Lord Shri Ram over Ravana. It is heartening to see that people here are staying in touch with Ramayana. May God bless us always!” PM Modi wrote on social media platform X.
Vijayadashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR I saw a part of Lao Ramayana, which highlights the victory of Lord Shri Ram over Ravana. It is heartening to see that the people here are connected to Ramayana. May the blessings of Lord Shri Ram always remain with us! pic.twitter.com/BskmfMYBdm
-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 10 October 2024
Ramayana has been celebrated in Laos for centuries, reflecting the shared heritage and age-old civilizational ties between the two countries. Many other aspects of Indian culture were also prevalent in the southeastern nation for centuries.
Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are other countries, primarily led by Theravada Buddhism, with many Ramayana traditions accompanied by Buddhist reinterpretations and adaptations.
In particular, Laos was known as ‘Suvarnabhumi’ or ‘Land of Gold’ among the ancient Indians.
According to historical records, when Ashoka waged war against Kalinga, many people migrated to Suvarnabhumi and brought with them Hindu and Buddhist beliefs from across the sea.
The Laotian Ramayana is believed to be deeply influenced by the Valmiki legend and is built on the template of the Lao history and people’s ways of life.
From ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a 10-point plan to strengthen the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Partnership and said ties with the regional grouping are important to guide the future of Asia.
PM Modi said India-ASEAN trade has doubled to more than US$130 billion in the last decade and announced a review of the goods trade agreement to harness greater economic potential of the partnership.
“I believe that the 21st century – the Asian century – is the century of India and the ASEAN countries,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the leaders of ASEAN countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines. Vietnam, Laos and Singapore.
Proposed ten suggestions that will deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN. pic.twitter.com/atAOAq6vrq
-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 10 October 2024
The Prime Minister said that India is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Act East Policy, which has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relations between India and ASEAN countries.
PM Modi said, “The India-ASEAN summit was meaningful. We discussed how to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN. We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural ties and cooperation in technology, connectivity and other such areas.” Look forward to doing.” Said in a post on X.
The 10-point plan to further strengthen India-ASEAN partnership includes celebrating the year 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and providing new grants for ASEAN students in agricultural universities in India. Is.
Prime Minister Modi also announced to celebrate the decade of Act East Policy through several people-centric activities including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think-Tanks and Delhi Dialogue.
regional tensions
PM Modi today said that India-ASEAN friendship is very important at a time when some parts of the world are facing conflict and tension.
The India-ASEAN summit comes at a time when the region is witnessing tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime issues in the South China Sea and the crisis in Myanmar, where ethnic groups are battling military rule.
what else is the plan
Apart from the 21st ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister will also participate in the 19th East Asia Summit. He will also hold several bilateral meetings with the heads of state of the member countries.
PM Modi’s visit underlines how ASEAN member states are an important part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. It also reflects New Delhi’s cooperation with allies and partners with a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region.
The Prime Minister has prioritized East and South East Asia with his vision for an initiative called SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.
PM Modi’s visit to Laos marks important anniversaries of India’s establishment of diplomatic relations with several countries in the region – 75th with Indonesia, 75th with Philippines, 60th with Singapore and 40th with Brunei.
