Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Indonesia on Thursday, announced the ASEAN-India fund for the digital future, which focuses on collaboration in digital transformation and financial connectivity. The prime minister proposed a 12-point plan that included fighting terrorism, financing of terrorism, and cyber-disinformation jointly.
Photo Credit: Press Information Bureau
New Delhi, September 7: In order to improve India-ASEAN collaboration in sectors like digital transformation, trade, and economic engagement while addressing current issues like terrorism and enhancing the strategic partnership, PM Modi has presented a 12-point plan in Indonesia on Thursday.
Along with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Prime Minister of India attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in the Indonesian capital. Two joint statements were also adopted at the summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a statement earlier in the day. One of the statements focused on maritime cooperation, and the other on food security.
At the ASEAN Summit, PM Modi said, “This year’s theme is ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. ASEAN matters because here everyone’s voice is heard and ASEAN is [the] epicenter of growth because ASEAN plays an important role in global growth.”
“Our history and geography unite India and ASEAN. Along with it, our shared values, regional integration, and our shared belief in peace, prosperity and a multipolar world also unite us,” he said. PM Modi further stated that ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East Policy, adding, “India supports ASEAN’s outlook on ASEAN-India centrality and Indo-Pacific.”
At the Summit, he underlined the necessity of completing the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) review in a timely manner. In order to improve India-ASEAN collaboration, the prime minister made a 12-point plan that touched on connectivity, digital transformation, trade and economic engagement, resolving current difficulties, people-to-people interactions, and deepening strategic engagement.
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