'Terrorism Serious Challenge To Global Peace': In Laos, PM Modi Urges Cooperation To Combat Menace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos and emphasised that terrorism is a serious threat to global peace. He also said that forces believing in humanity will have to work in cooperation to tackle the same.

“Terrorism is also a serious challenge to global peace and security. To face it, forces believing in humanity will have to work together. And, mutual cooperation in the areas of cyber, maritime and space will also have to be strengthened,” the Prime Minister said.

“The conflicts going on in different parts of the world are having the most negative impact on the countries of the Global South. Everyone wants that whether it is Eurasia or West Asia, peace and stability should be restored as soon as possible. I come from the land of Buddha, and I have repeatedly said that this is not the era of war. Solutions to problems cannot come from the battlefield. It is necessary to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and international laws,” he said.

“Keeping a humanitarian approach, dialogue and diplomacy will have to be given priority. Fulfilling the responsibility of Vishwabhadhu, India will continue to contribute in every possible way in this direction,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is necessary to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international laws, dialogue and diplomacy will have to be given priority. I come from the land of Buddha, have repeatedly said this is not the era of war,  solutions to problems cannot come from battlefield,” he said.

“Everyone, whether it is Eurasia or West Asia, wants that peace and stability should be restored as soon as possible. Conflicts going on in different parts of the world are having the most negative impact on countries of Global South,” he added.

WHAT PM MODI SAID ON ASEAN APPROACH

“We support the ASEAN approach to the situation in Myanmar. We also support the Five-point Consensus. At the same time, we believe that it is important to maintain humanitarian assistance. Appropriate steps should also be taken for the restoration of democracy. We believe that, for this, Myanmar should be engaged, not isolated. As a neighbouring country, India will continue to fulfil its responsibility,” he said.

“East Asia Summit is an important pillar of India’s Act East Policy,” PM Modi said.

“We believe maritime activities should be conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it is necessary to ensure freedom of navigation, and air space. Peace, security and stability of the South China Sea are in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region. Free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rule-based Indo-Pacific is important for the progress of the entire region,” the Prime Minister said.

On India’s support for ASEAN Unity, the Prime Minister said, “India has always supported ASEAN Unity and Centrality. ASEAN is also at the centre of India’s Indo-Pacific vision and Quad cooperation. There are deep similarities between India’s ‘Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative’ and ‘ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific’. A free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rule-based Indo-Pacific is important for the peace and progress of the entire region. Peace, security and stability of the South China Sea is in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region.”

PM Modi also expressed grief and offered condolences on the loss of lives due to Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam.

“I express my deepest condolences to the people affected by Typhoon Yagi. In this difficult time, we have provided humanitarian assistance through Operation Sadbhav,” he said.

(The Southeast Asian country has been reeling from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia this year, which made landfall in northern Vietnam nearly two weeks ago. The typhoon killed more than 290 people and caused property damages of around $1.6 billion.)

PM MODI FIRST LEADER INVITED TO ADDRESS EAST ASIA SUMMIT AFTER INCOMING CHAIR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first leader to be invited to address the East Asia Summit after the host and incoming chair, news agency ANI quoted sources as saying. India’s role and importance in the ASEAN was also recognised.

PM Modi was also recognised as the only leader in the room who has participated in the most number of East Asia Summit, which is nine out of 19 East Asia Summits, it reported.

PM MODI MEETS THAILAND PRIME MINISTER

In an X post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thailand is a deeply valued friend of India.

“Met PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Lao PDR. Thailand is a deeply valued friend of India’s. Our talks were focused on how to improve trade ties between our nations and to boost cultural linkages. We also see great scope in sectors like defence, shipping, digital innovations and more,” the Prime Minister’s X post read.

PM MODI LAOS VISIT

PM Modi arrived in Laos on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. Laos is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded in 1967, and the Prime Minister departed for the country upon the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Upon his arrival, PM Modi was accorded a traditional welcome at the airport by Lao PDR Minister of Home Affairs Vilaywong Bouddhakham. Later, PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora who sang cheerful songs in the hotel lobby.

As PM Modi landed in Laos on Thursday, his X post read, “Landed in Lao PDR. Looking forward to the deliberations with various world leaders”.

Later, Modi witnessed ‘Phralak Phralam,’ the Laotian Ramayan performance.

According to phralakphralam.com, the Lao Ramayan differs from the original Indian version. It had reached Laos late, around the 16th century, brought by Buddhist missions.

Several dignitaries, including the Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Education and Sports, Governor of Bank of Lao PDR and Mayor of Vientiane were present on the occasion.

Ramayana continues to be celebrated in Laos, and the epic reflects the shared heritage and age-old civilisation connection between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Several facets of Indian culture and tradition have been practised and preserved in Laos for centuries. The two countries are closely working to illuminate their shared heritage, it said.

Earlier, Modi participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organisation of Lao PDR, led by Mahaveth Masenai, the revered abbot of Si Saket temple in Vientiane.

In his departure statement in New Delhi, Modi noted that India is marking a decade of Act East policy this year.

The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Modi said India shared close cultural and civilisation ties with the region, including with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), which is enriched by a shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana.

“I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen our bilateral ties,” the PM said.

He added, “This is a special year as we mark a decade of our Act East Policy, which has led to substantial benefits for our nation. There will also be various bilateral meetings and interactions with various world leaders during this visit.”

PM MODI MEETS ANTONY BLINKEN

In Laos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.

During their conversation, PM Modi extended condolences on the loss of lives due to Hurricane Milton.

(The death toll from Hurricane Milton has risen to at least 14 after another fatality was reported in Hillsborough County.)

PM MODI MEETS COUNTERPARTS FROM JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a “very productive” meeting with newly-appointed Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba in Vientiane, Laos, during which they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in different areas, including infrastructure, connectivity and defence.

Separately, Prime Minister Modi also met his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon on the margins of the ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane.

Modi met Ishiba on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and congratulated him on his new responsibility and wished him success in leading Japan to greater heights.

“Had a very productive meeting with PM Ishiba. I’m happy to have met him just a few days after he became Japan’s PM. Our talks included ways to enhance cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, defence and more. Boosting cultural linkages was also discussed,” Modi said in a post on X.

Ishiba was appointed Japan’s Prime Minister just last week. He replaced Fumio Kishida, who stepped down to pave the way for a fresh leader.

The Prime Minister underscored that India will continue to accord the highest priority to its ties with Japan, a trusted friend and strategic partner, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Both leaders emphasised that India and Japan are indispensable partners for a peaceful, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and renewed their commitment to working together to achieve this goal, the statement said.

During his meeting with New Zealand counterpart Luxon, Prime Minister Modi discussed cooperation in sectors such as economic cooperation, tourism, education and innovation. It was the first meeting between the two leaders.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders discussed ways to deepen the India-New Zealand partnership in various sectors, including trade and investment, defence, education, agriculture, space tech, and more.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance.

The two leaders renewed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in the multilateral fora and reiterated their commitment to take the India-New Zealand relationship to greater heights.

Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Luxon to visit India on mutually convenient dates, which he accepted.

Modi also interacted with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President Bongbong Marcos of the Philippines and Executive chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab.

ASEAN AND EAST ASIA SUMMITS

The ASEAN member States are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam.

The East Asia Summit comprises the 10 ASEAN countries and eight partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States. Timor-Leste has the observer status at the EAS.