India expressed its strong support today to Laos for their chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). as Vientiane continues preparation for the upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS). Ministry of External Affair’s Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumder participated in the EAS Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting in Laos, he expressed India’s robust support to Laos for the big event scheduled to be held in October this year.A
During the meeting, Mazumder highlighted the importance of New Delhi attaches to ASEAN centrality and unity that remains a cornerstone of India’s Act East policy. He also added India’s initiatives in the East Asia Summit context and touched upon regional issues of concern.
ASEAN countries remain a crucial element of India’s Act East policy and a key partner in its Indo-Pacific Vision, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative.
