India proposes Joint Task Force on India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highways
LAOS :India has proposed a joint task force on connectivity in India-ASEAN Region to work on extension of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highways to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. This was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 14th ASEAN-India Summit at Vientiane, Laos this morning. He also announced to enhance the ASEAN-India fund with an additional grant of 50 million US dollars in the area of Science & Technology. He said India is willing to march with ASEAN to fulfill promise and potential of strategic engagement.
Earlier, in his opening address at the summit, the Prime Minister said that India-ASEAN relations are driven by common priorities, bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region. He said enhancing connectivity is central to this partnership which is driven by linking our economic success and development experiences. He said India is committed to ASEAN connectivity master plan.
Speaking at the ASEAN IndiaSummit in Vientiane, Laos , Prime Minister Modi declared that Indiasupports the United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea (UNCLOS).”Sea lanes are life lines of global trade. Indiasupports freedom of navigation based on ÚNCLOS,” he added.He also emphasized on New Delhi’s will to take on cyber security.
“We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance coop in cyber security, de-radicalization and Counter Terrorism,” he said. Stating natural disasters as common challenge and joint priority, Prime Minister Modi said that Indiawill host the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in November.
“Engagement of India-ASEAN is of ‘economic optimism’. We continue to expand and deepen our economic engagements,” he declared. Prime Minister Modi also offered to host India-ASEAN Youth Summit laying foundation of future cooperation. He also proposed documenting civilizational ties, by commissioning project for mapping Indian inscriptions along Mekong river.
The Prime Minister also invited the ASEAN as the Guest of Honour for the International Buddhist Conclave in October.He concluded reiterating that Indiais willing to march with ASEAN to fulfill promise and potential of its strategic engagement.
Expressing deep concern over terrorism, Mr. Modi said export of terror, growing radicalization and spread of extreme violence are common security threats to our societies. He also announced hosting a commemorative summit on shared values, common destiny next year. Mr Modi and leaders of 10 ASEAN nations participated in the summit.
