Expressing concerns over the growing radicalisation of youth and terror attacks, the ten ASEAN countries on Friday collectively decided to join hands in combating the menace.
Regional security and peace also figured prominently in the bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
During their meetings with Modi, shortly after the Republic Day Parade, PMs of lao PDRs Thongloun Sisoulith and Malaysia’s Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak conveyed their deep appreciation for the Summit and the Parade. The talks with Widodo took place late on Thursday night. Despite the time constraint, the leaders took the opportunity to quickly review the development projects with Indian assistance.
Both Indonesia and Malaysia shared their experiences with Modi in dealing with the issue, particularly the steps taken in counter-radicalisation and mentioned the legislations they have in place to deal with terrorism.
India, which has its own positive experience in handling radicalisation, also shared its views with the two leaders. There was an agreement in enhancing cooperation between law enforcing agencies in this area and alerting each other immediately whenever their citizens were found to be involved in any such act.
“President Widodo and PM Razak talked about the soft and hard methods used by them in dealing with radicalisation and terrorism,” said Preeti Saran, secretary East in Ministry of External Affairs.
India and Indonesia already have a security cooperation mechanism and an ongoing security dialogue. She added that the concept of Indo-Pacific found support at the ASEAN forum.
Enhancing cooperation in trade and investment also was the focus of bilaterals with laos, Indonesia and Malaysia. Widodo called on India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to wrap up negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
He said ASEAN is also ready to cooperate with India to expand and strengthen the supply chain in RCEP countries. Widodo invited Modi to Indonesia which the PM accepted.
With Malaysia trade and investments formed an important part of discussion apart from security issues, there was a discussion on enhancing cooperation between law enforcing agencies. In the civil aviation sector, Modi invited Malaysian companies to invest in India
India is involved in development assistance projects worth $ 150 million in laos, including that of water and transmission lines. A proposal for extending line of Credit for construction of an agriculture college was also discussed. lao PM expressed desire to gain from India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and sought its expansion till lao. Enhancing defence cooperation was also discussed with lao.
The leaders of the ASEAN countries both in their bilateral meeting and at the Summit level talks appreciated India's positive role in strengthening the regional architecture and expressed desire to engage more deeply with India.
As part of public outreach in the ASEAN countries, Modi-written article appeared in all the top newspapers of the ten nations whose leaders were sitting here in New Delhi for the Summit. The article written on the occasion of the Commemorative ASEAN-India Summit talked about PM's vision for the relationship and engagement with the members of the grouping.
Modi on his part has offered 1,000 scholarship slots for research in IITs, improving digital connectivity in rural areas of ASEAN countries and measures for boosting trade, tourism and connectivity.