Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos and emphasised that terrorism is a serious threat to global peace. He also said that forces believing in humanity will have to work in cooperation to tackle the same.
“Terrorism is also a serious challenge to global peace and security. To face it, forces believing in humanity will have to work together. And, mutual cooperation in the areas of cyber, maritime and space will also have to be strengthened,” the Prime Minister said.
“The conflicts going on in different parts of the world are having the most negative impact on the countries of the Global South. Everyone wants that whether it is Eurasia or West Asia, peace and stability should be restored as soon as possible. I come from the land of Buddha, and I have repeatedly said that this is not the era of war. Solutions to problems cannot come from the battlefield. It is necessary to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and international laws,” he said.
“Keeping a humanitarian approach, dialogue and diplomacy will have to be given priority. Fulfilling the responsibility of Vishwabhadhu, India will continue to contribute in every possible way in this direction,” the Prime Minister said.
“We support the ASEAN approach to the situation in Myanmar. We also support the Five-point Consensus. At the same time, we believe that it is important to maintain humanitarian assistance. Appropriate steps should also be taken for the restoration of democracy. We believe that, for this, Myanmar should be engaged, not isolated. As a neighbouring country, India will continue to fulfil its responsibility,” he added.
PM MODI LAOS VISIT
PM Modi arrived in Laos on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. Laos is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded in 1967, and the Prime Minister departed for the country upon the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was accorded a traditional welcome at the airport by Lao PDR Minister of Home Affairs Vilaywong Bouddhakham. Later, PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora who sang cheerful songs in the hotel lobby.
As PM Modi landed in Laos on Thursday, his X post read, “Landed in Lao PDR. Looking forward to the deliberations with various world leaders”.
Later, Modi witnessed ‘Phralak Phralam,’ the Laotian Ramayan performance.
According to phralakphralam.com, the Lao Ramayan differs from the original Indian version. It had reached Laos late, around the 16th century, brought by Buddhist missions.
Several dignitaries, including the Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Education and Sports, Governor of Bank of Lao PDR and Mayor of Vientiane were present on the occasion.
Ramayana continues to be celebrated in Laos, and the epic reflects the shared heritage and age-old civilisation connection between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
Several facets of Indian culture and tradition have been practised and preserved in Laos for centuries. The two countries are closely working to illuminate their shared heritage, it said.
Earlier, Modi participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organisation of Lao PDR, led by Mahaveth Masenai, the revered abbot of Si Saket temple in Vientiane.
In his departure statement in New Delhi, Modi noted that India is marking a decade of Act East policy this year.
The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.
Modi said India shared close cultural and civilisation ties with the region, including with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), which is enriched by a shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana.
“I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen our bilateral ties,” the PM said.
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