VIENTIANE, Oct 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 19th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR, today, where he highlighted the importance of maintaining a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific for the peace and prosperity of the entire region. He stressed that the security and stability of the South China Sea are essential for the broader Indo-Pacific region’s progress.
Addressing the ongoing conflicts in various regions, Prime Minister Modi asserted that development, not expansionism, should be the focus for global progress. He expressed concern about the negative impacts of regional conflicts on nations in the Global South and reiterated that solutions to international disputes should not come from warfare. He emphasized that this is “not an age of war” and advocated for diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international laws.
The Prime Minister also called for a unified global effort to address terrorism, which he described terrorism a serious challenge to global peace and security. He further urged for strengthened cooperation in cybersecurity, maritime security, and space exploration. Modi underscored the necessity of ensuring freedom of navigation and airspace in the region.
During his address, Prime Minister Modi extended his deepest condolences to those affected by Typhoon Yagi and noted India’s humanitarian assistance through Operation Sadbhav. He also expressed India’s commitment to contributing towards regional and global stability.
According to reports, Prime Minister Modi was the first leader to speak at the East Asia Summit following the host and incoming chair. The East Asia Summit is a premier forum led by heads of state, designed to foster strategic trust in the region. It includes the 10 ASEAN nations and eight dialogue partners—Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. Timor-Leste also participated as an observer.
