INVC NEWS
New Delhi / Vientiane : India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Laos from October 10 to 11, 2024, for a high-profile diplomatic event that will further reinforce India’s ties with Southeast Asia. Modi has been invited to Laos by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The visit will mark India’s participation in two crucial summits: the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. This diplomatic engagement underscores India’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, particularly under its Act East Policy, which celebrates a decade of successful implementation this year.
Key Objectives of Modi’s Visit to Laos
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Laos is laden with strategic importance, especially in the context of India’s geopolitical strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. The ASEAN-India Summit is set to review the progress of India-ASEAN relations while laying out a clear path for future engagements. The focus will be on fostering closer ties in areas such as trade, technology, security, and sustainable development. In addition, Modi will participate in bilateral talks that are expected to enhance India’s diplomatic and economic relationships with multiple ASEAN nations.
The 19th East Asia Summit, meanwhile, will provide a broader platform where India can engage with other key stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Russia. This summit is critical for India to showcase its Indo-Pacific strategy and contribute to discussions on regional security, freedom of navigation, and economic integration.
India’s Act East Policy: A Decade of Success
India’s Act East Policy (AEP) has been one of the cornerstones of its diplomatic relations with Southeast Asia. Launched in 2014, the policy emphasizes increased engagement with ASEAN countries in areas ranging from defense and security to trade and cultural exchanges. With the completion of a decade this year, the ASEAN-India Summit will be an opportunity for India to evaluate the successes and challenges faced under AEP, and set ambitious new goals for the next decade.
Over the last ten years, India’s relationship with ASEAN has seen significant milestones. Trade between India and ASEAN has grown exponentially, with ASEAN being India’s fourth-largest trading partner. From a strategic standpoint, the policy has allowed India to play a key role in ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region, aligning well with its broader Indo-Pacific vision.
ASEAN-India Summit: Deepening Strategic Partnerships
The 21st ASEAN-India Summit will serve as a critical juncture for both sides to assess the progress of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Established in 2022, this partnership aims to elevate the scope of collaboration in multiple sectors. India and ASEAN have historically shared strong cultural and economic ties, and the summit will provide a platform to discuss ways to expand these further.
A central focus will be the digital economy, where India is expected to push for more collaboration in areas such as cybersecurity, digital payments, and the development of IT infrastructure. In addition, talks will likely explore avenues for enhancing connectivity projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, which could significantly boost trade and tourism between the regions.
India and ASEAN are also expected to hold discussions on regional security challenges, with a focus on maritime security. The ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea will likely be a key topic of concern, and India is expected to reiterate its stance on the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters.
19th East Asia Summit: Strengthening Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the 19th East Asia Summit will offer a unique opportunity to align India’s Indo-Pacific vision with the broader goals of regional powers. This summit, which includes all ASEAN members and eight additional countries, including the U.S. and China, is one of the most significant diplomatic forums in the Asia-Pacific region.
India’s presence in this summit is crucial as the country seeks to push its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), an agenda focused on cooperation for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Modi is expected to advocate for increased cooperation on maritime security, disaster resilience, and sustainable development, in line with IPOI’s objectives.
In terms of global security, the East Asia Summit is expected to address growing tensions in the region, especially concerning territorial disputes and the impact of China’s expanding influence. India is likely to engage in dialogues focused on ensuring a rules-based international order and encouraging cooperative frameworks that avoid conflict and foster peace.
India-Laos Bilateral Relations: A Growing Partnership
On the sidelines of these summits, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Laotian counterpart, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, as well as other ASEAN leaders. India and Laos have shared friendly relations, with India providing technical and economic assistance to Laos in various sectors. During the visit, discussions are likely to focus on expanding economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, capacity building, and human resource development.
India’s development assistance to Laos has significantly helped in improving the socio-economic conditions in the region. Projects supported by India, such as health, education, and ICT initiatives, have been pivotal in strengthening ties between the two nations. It is expected that Modi’s visit will result in renewed commitments to enhance bilateral cooperation across these domains.
The Importance of Multilateral Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
India’s role in multilateral forums such as the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit cannot be understated. These engagements are part of a broader strategy to enhance India’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region. By actively participating in these forums, India continues to push for greater cooperation among ASEAN nations, particularly in addressing challenges like climate change, terrorism, and cybersecurity.
Furthermore, Modi’s participation in these summits reinforces India’s dedication to multilateralism as a means to address global issues. The platform provided by these summits allows India to work closely with global and regional powers to achieve mutual objectives, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
