Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the 18th ASEAN-India Summit via video link. During this, he said that due to the Corona epidemic, we all had to face many challenges, but these challenging times have also been the test of India-ASEAN friendship. In the time of Covid, our mutual cooperation, mutual sympathy will continue to strengthen our relationship in future.
Let us tell you that the 18th ASEAN-India Summit is focused on the Corona epidemic, international development, businesses and other issues. PM Modi said that history is witness that India and ASEAN have had vibrant relations for thousands of years. Their shared values, traditions, languages, texts, architecture, culture, food and drink reflect our shared values. Therefore the unity and centrality of ASEAN have always been an important priority for India.
Narendra Modi said that in the year 2022, 30 years of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-India partnership will be completed. At the same time, India will also complete 75 years of its independence. He said that he is very happy that this important milestone will be celebrated as 'ASEAN-India Friendship Year'.
India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit. It has been committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective to deal with contemporary challenges. Under this, PM Modi reviewed the status of ASEAN and India's strategic partnership at the 18th ASEAN-India Summit.
The East Asia Summit is a forum led by prominent leaders in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, the Forum has played an important role in the strategic and geopolitical development of East Asia. Apart from the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, the East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia.
