During the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Prime Minister Modi made a significant announcement regarding the establishment of an Indian Embassy in Timor-Leste's capital, Dili. This news was met with enthusiastic approval from both Timor-Leste and the ASEAN member nations.
It's worth noting that Timor-Leste, which started as an observer, officially became a full member of ASEAN in 2022. Speaking at the summit, prime minister reaffirmed that ASEAN is the central pillar of India's Act East Policy and it fully supports ASEAN centrality and its outlook on the Indo-Pacific. In his opening remarks, Modi said: "ASEAN matters because here everyone's voice is heard, and ASEAN is the epicentre of growth because the ASEAN region plays a crucial role in global development."
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm reception from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Jakarta for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India summit. In a video by PTI, Modi engaged with diaspora members who greeted him with flowers and Indian flags.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Indonesia was a brief stopover before the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi. His itinerary included participation in the India-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. The ceremonial welcome at Jakarta International Airport featured traditional Indonesian dance performances.
Expressing their admiration for the Prime Minister's humility, a member of the Indian diaspora told, "He (PM Modi) is such a big leader, but he is so down to earth, he shook hands with all of us and gave time to each one of us," ANI reported.
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Addressing the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized ASEAN's pivotal role in India's Act East Policy and its significance in the Indo-Pacific initiative. He highlighted the strong bonds of history, geography, and shared values that unite India and ASEAN, fostering regional integration and a mutual commitment to peace, prosperity, and a multipolar world.
Reflecting on the enduring partnership between India and Indonesia, now entering its fourth decade, the Prime Minister expressed his pride in co-chairing the ASEAN-India Summit. He commended the theme of this year's summit, "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth," underlining the forum's unique ability to amplify every voice and its central role in global economic advancement.
Recalling the recent celebration of India-ASEAN Friendship Day, which solidified into a comprehensive strategic partnership, Prime Minister Modi lauded the enduring nature of their collaboration. He conveyed his honor in co-chairing the Summit and extended congratulations to Indonesian President Joko Widodo for orchestrating this significant event.
Modi also demonstrated his cultural respect by tweeting in Indonesian upon his arrival in Jakarta, stating, "Landed in Jakarta. Looking forward to ASEAN-related meetings and working with various leaders for a better planet."
Prime Minister Modi's trip began on Wednesday night and was scheduled to conclude late on Thursday upon his return to New Delhi. Indonesia, as the current chair of the ASEAN summit, made adjustments to accommodate Modi's tight schedule, resulting in no bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the two summits.
