TBM Staff - Mumbai
Emphasising India’s ties with ASEAN nations, the Ministry of External Affairs announced a contribution of USD 5 million for joint activities to boost tourism development in the region. During a briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Laos, MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar revealed that 2025 will be celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
These initiatives form part of a 10-point plan unveiled by PM Modi to enhance connectivity and resilience between India and ASEAN. This year also marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy, with ASEAN nations positively assessing India’s contributions, especially in developing digital public infrastructure and other sectors under this policy.
Mazumdar highlighted that the East Asia Summit concluded with only a Chair statement, as differences in formulation prevented the adoption of a Leaders’ statement. He explained that some of these differences were irreconcilable, leading to the absence of a joint declaration.
PM Modi’s two-day visit to Laos from October 10-11 included participation in the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit. He also held bilateral talks with leaders from Laos, Thailand, and New Zealand.
During the trip, Modi met with key figures such as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, further strengthening India’s ties in the region.
