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Opening Statement by Prime Minister at the 12th India-ASEAN Summit, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

November 12, 2014

  • I am very pleased to have the privilege to participate in the India-ASEAN Summit.
  • I am particularly honoured that I got this opportunity in Myanmar. Myanmar is our great neighbor, with which we have had historically very close relations. Further, India's Eastern journey begins on the Western boundary of Myanmar.
  • Excellency, I am grateful to you for your warm welcome and hospitality; congratulate you on the excellent arrangements; and wish you great success in hosting the ASEAN and East Asia Summits. ·
  • My government has been in office for six months and the intensity and momentum with which we have enhanced our engagement in the East, is a reflection of the priority that we give to this region. ·
  • We have close bilateral relations with each of you and we treat the relations with ASEAN with the same importance.
  • Today ASEAN has established its own identity and voice in global political and economic affairs.
  • Today, the entire Asia-Pacific region desires integration and cooperation
  • To achieve this extremely important goal we look at ASEAN, not only for inspiration but also for its leadership; and you have achieved a great deal of success in leading us in that direction.
  • The ASEAN community is India's neighbour. We have ancient relations of trade, religion, culture, art and traditions. We have enriched each other through our interaction.
  • This constitutes a strong foundation of a modern relationship.
  • That is why our world view is similar in many respects; our mutual confidence and trust is strong. We have no irritants in our relationship. We see encouraging opportunities and challenges in the world in similar ways.
  • ASEAN and India have the vigour and enthusiasm of its youth and wisdom and understanding of its ancient civilisations. ·
  • Rapidly developing India and ASEAN can be great partners for each other. We are both keen to enhance our cooperation in advancing balance, peace and stability in the region.
  • We have been successful to a considerable extent in pursuing our dreams. We have laid a foundation for a strong and comprehensive strategic partnership.
  • But, our potential is much higher than where we are at the moment.
  • A new era of economic development, industrialization and trade has begun in India. Externally, India's 'Look East Policy' has become 'Act East Policy'.
  • We greatly respect the enthusiasm with which you have extended the hand of friendship to India. Today the world and the region need a strong India-ASEAN partnership;
  • That is why we believe that we are entering in a new era in the India-ASEAN partnership.
  • I look forward keenly to hear your views.
  • But before I end, I want to thank His Majesty Sultan Hassan-al Bolkiah of Brunei for injecting so much energy in India-ASEAN relationship as country-coordinator. I am also confident that Vietnam, as the next country-coordinator, will take our relationship to an even higher plane.
​This is an unofficial English translation ​of the original speech.


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