Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 16th East Asia Summit on Wednesday and stressed the importance of free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Addressing the Summit via video conference, the PM reiterated India’s commitment to provide Quad sponsored COVID-19 vaccines to Indo-Pacific countries.
“Participated in the 16th East Asia Summit hosted by Brunei through video conference. Re-affirmed India’s focus on a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the principle of ASEAN Centrality in the region,” PM Modi tweeted .
PM Modi reaffirmed the importance of East Asia Summit as the premier leaders-led forum in Indo-Pacific, bringing together nations to discuss important strategic issues. The prime minister also highlighted India’s efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic through vaccines and medical supplies.
PM Modi also spoke about “Atmanirbhar Bharat” Campaign for post-pandemic recovery and in ensuring resilient global value chains. He emphasised on the establishment of a better balance between economy and ecology and climate sustainable lifestyle.
The 16th East Asia Summit witnessed participation of leaders from ASEAN countries and other EAS participating countries including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA and India.
“The 16th East Asia Summit discussed important regional and international issues including Indo-Pacifc, South China Sea, UNCLOS, terrorism, and situation in Korean Peninsula and Myanmar. PM reaffirmed “ASEAN centrality” in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the synergies between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI),” the ministry of external affairs informed.
