Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the Southeast Asian island nation has a central role to play in India's 'Act East' policy.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership entered into last year has injected new dynamism in ties between the two sides, he added.
The Congress chief made the remarks in a tweet, while presiding over a meeting of leaders from North East states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim for preparation of Lok Sabha elections 2024.
EAM said, "ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India's Act East policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. A strong and unified ASEAN plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific."
The defence minister said the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Master Plan would act as a force multiplier in developing infrastructure facilities in the Northeast region.
This is the prime minister's second visit to the Republic of Korea since 2015 and a second summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in.
If the Centre does not handle issues arising out of the controversial Citizenship Bill adroitly, the backlash could affect India's Act East policy initiative.
The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar, entirely funded by the Union government, is still far from completion owing to a host of unresolved reasons.
What is required now is to let entrepreneurs from South and South-east Asia participate in the Northeast's economy as more diverse investors in a variety of production processes would also link products and services with the larger market access.
Expresses support for India’s “Act East” policy
