#I. Bilateral Meetings of the PM on the sidelines of ASEAN – India Summit, Bangkok : 3 Nov, 2019 : News Updates : PMINDIA. *1. PM’s meeting with the PM of Thailand : 3 Nov, 2019. *2. PM’s meeting with President of Indonesia : 03 Nov, 2019. *3. PM’s meeting with State Counsellor of Myanmar : 03 Nov, 2019. *4. PM Meets Japanese PM Shinzo Abe : 04 Nov, 2019. *5. Meeting of PM with Prime Minister of Australia :04 Nov, 2019. *6. Meeting of PM with Prime Minister of Vietnam : 04 Nov, 2019. #II. Address by PM at the inaugural ceremony of the 16th India-ASEAN Summit : 3 Nov, 2019. #III. PM attends 16th India – ASEAN Summit in Bangkok : 3 Nov, 2019 #IV. PM to participate in East Asia and RCEP Summit in Bangkok : 04 Nov, 2019. #V. PMO India : Report Card.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held separate meetings with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he discussed with the leaders on ways to expand the cooperation with the two countries.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Thailand Gen(ret.) Prayut Chan-o-Cha on 3rd November 2019 on the sidelines of 35th ASEAN Summit, 14th East Asia Summit(EAS) and 16th India-ASEAN Summit.
During the meeting both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relationship and noted that frequent high level meetings and exchanges at all levels have created positive momentum in the relationship. Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in defence industries sector. Welcoming 20% growth in bilateral trade last year, leaders decided to task the trade officials to discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment.
The Prime Ministers also discussed ways to enhance connectivity between the two countries including in the areas of physical and digital connectivity. Both leaders welcomed the growing air connectivity between the two countries and start of a direct flight between Bangkok and Guwahati and also finalisation of agreements for cooperation between Ranong Port, Thailand and Indian ports in Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. PM Modi thanked Thai PM for the invitation extended to him to attend the ASEAN related meetings, and also congratulated him on his leadership as Chair of ASEAN. He positively assessed the contribution of Thailand as the Country Coordinator for India-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for further strengthening this relationship.
India and Thailand are close maritime neighbours having historical and cultural linkages. In the contemporary context, India’s ‘Act East’ policy is complimented by Thailand’s ‘Look West’ policy which has made the relationship deep, robust and multifaceted.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of Republic of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo in Bangkok on 3 November 2019 on the sidelines of ASEAN/EAS related meetings.
PM Modi congratulated President Widodo on the start of his second term as the President of Indonesia and conveyed that as the world’s two largest democratic and plural societies, India is committed to work with Indonesia to strengthen ties in the areas of defence, security, connectivity, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Noting that India and Indonesia are close maritime neighbours, both leaders reiterated their commitment to work together for peace, security and prosperity in order to achieve their shared vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders discussed the threat of extremism and terrorism and agreed to work closely bilaterally and globally to tackle this menace.
Prime Minister Modi had a forward looking discussion on enhancing bilateral trade and highlighted the need for greater market access for Indian commodities including, pharmaceutical, automotive and agricultural products. While noting that Indian companies have made substantial investment in Indonesia, PM Modi invited Indonesian companies to use the opportunities presented in India for investment.
Prime Minister Modi invited President Widodo to visit India at a mutually convenient time next year.
India attaches high priority to its bilateral relationship with Indonesia, with which we share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This year, India and Indonesia are also commemorating the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar on the margins of the ASEAN-India Summit on November 03, 2019. Recalling his last visit to Myanmar in September 2017, and the visit of the State Counsellor to India during the ASEAN-India commemorative Summit in January 2018, the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress of the vital partnership between the two countries.
Prime Minister emphasized the priority India attaches to Myanmar as a partner at the crossroads of India’s Look East Policy and the Neighbourhood First policies. Towards this end, he emphasized India’s continuing commitment to improve physical connectivity to and through Myanmar to Southeast Asia, including through building road, port and other infrastructure. India would also continue to strongly support the expansion of capacity for Myanmar’s police, military and civil servants, as well as its students and citizens. The leaders agreed that people to people connectivity would help expand the base of the partnership, and therefore welcomed the expansion of air connectivity between the two countries, and the growing interest of India’s businesses in Myanmar, including the plans of the Government of India to host a business event for the CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) in Yangon at the end of November 2019.
State Counsellor Daw Suu Kyi reaffirmed the importance her Government attached to the partnership with India, and her appreciation of India’s consistent and sustained support for the widening of democracy and deepening of development in Myanmar.
The two Leaders agreed that a stable and peaceful border was an important anchor for the continued expansion of our partnership. Prime Minister emphasized the value India attaches to Myanmar’s cooperation in ensuring that insurgent groups do not find space to operate across the India-Myanmar border.
With regard to the situation in Rakhine, following the completion of the first Indian project to build 250 prefabricated houses–which were handed over to the Myanmar Government this July–PM expressed India’s readiness to carry out more socio-economic projects in this State. PM emphasized that the speedy, safe and sustainable return from Bangladesh of displaced people to their homes in Rakhine State was in the interests of the region, the displaced persons, and all three neighbouring States: India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The two Leaders agreed to maintain the tempo of high level interactions in the year ahead, recognizing that strong ties across all pillars of cooperation were in the fundamental interests of both countries.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe on the margins of India-ASEAN and East Asia Summit 2019 at Bangkok on 04 November 2019. The two leaders have met with each other thrice in the last about four months, and their previous meeting was in Vladivostok in September 2019.
The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Abe on the recent coronation of the Emperor of Japan. Prime Minister Abe recalled warmly the participation of the President of India in the ceremony.
Prime Minister Modi said that he eagerly looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister Abe in India next month for India-Japan Annual Summit. He also said that he was convinced of the success of the forthcoming Annual Summit in further deepening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
The leaders welcomed the increasing economic engagement between the two countries, propelled by high-level exchanges. The leaders also reviewed the progress on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project and reaffirmed their commitment to advance mutual efforts to facilitate the smooth implementation of the project.
The leaders welcomed that the inaugural 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue will take place later this month in India. They agreed that the Dialogue will help provide impetus to the bilateral security and defence cooperation between the two sides.
The two Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on a rules-based order. They agreed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation, including in thirdcountries, for achieving the shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress of the Indo-Pacific region.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia on the sidelines of India-ASEAN and East Asia Summit 2019 at Bangkok on 04 November 2019.
During the meeting both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relationship and noted that frequent high level meetings and exchanges at all levels have created positive momentum in the relationship and reaffirmed their desire to further strengthen India-Australia bilateral relations.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment for a free, open, transparent and inclusive Indo-Pacific region for promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity. The two leaders noted that the strategic and economic interests of both countries are converging , which opens up opportunities for working together bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally.
Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime domain. The two leaders discussed the threat of extremism and terrorism and agreed to work closely to tackle this menace.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated his invitation to Australian Prime Minister to visit India in January 2020 and to his keynote speech at Raisina Dialogue. Both leaders underlined the need to have thorough preparation to ensure a successful outcome from the visit.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the sidelines of India-ASEAN and East Asia Summit 2019 at Bangkok on 04 November 2019.
The Leaders reaffirmed the historical and traditional friendly relations between the two countries and emphasized that India-Vietnam relations have been built on a firm foundation of cultural and civilisational links and are marked by mutual trust and understanding as well as strong cooperation in regional and international fora.
It was highlighted during the meeting that recent high-level exchanges between both countries have resulted in robust cooperation in several areas, expansion of defence and security ties, forging of closer economic and commercial linkages and deepening of people-to-people engagement.
Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime domain. The two leaders discussed the threat of extremism and terrorism and agreed to work closely to tackle this menace.
The two sides reiterated their desire to promote peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders committed to the maintenance of a rules-based order that is based on respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This will promote independence of navigation, overflight and rules-based trade in South China Sea.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s readiness to work closely with Vietnam as the incoming Chairman of ASEAN for 2020, and during its tenure as non-permanent member of UNSC for2020-2021.
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Your Excellency Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha,
Excellencies,
Your Majesty,
I am pleased to meet you once again at the India-ASEAN Summit format. I thank Thailand for the excellent arrangements and hospitality of the highest standard. I also wish Vietnam all the best to chair the ASEAN and East Asia Summits next year.
Excellencies,
I welcome the mutual coordination of the Indo-Pacific Outlook between India and ASEAN. India’s Act East Policy is an important part of our Indo-Pacific vision. ASEAN is and always will be the heart of our Act East Policy. Integrated, organized and economically developing ASEAN is in India’s basic interest. We are committed to further strengthen our partnership through stronger surface, maritime and air-connectivity and digital-link. $ 1 billion line of credit will be useful for physical and digital connectivity. Our intention is to greatly increase the traffic of people for study, research, trade and tourism.
To achieve this goal, India is ready to increase partnership with ASEAN in the area of mutual interests. Implementing the decisions taken last year at the Commemorative Summit and the Informal Summit in Singapore has brought us closer. We are ready to further increase capacity building and partnerships in areas such as agriculture, science, research, ICT and engineering. I welcome the recent decision to review the ASEAN-India FTA. This will not only make our economic relations more stronger, but our trade will also be balanced. We also want to strengthen our partnership in the areas of maritime security, blue economy and humanitarian aid. After listening to the views of your Excellencies, I would like to talk about some aspects in detail. I once again express my deep gratitude to Thailand and all of you from the heart.
Disclaimer: PM’s speech was delivered in Hindi. This is an approximate translation of the speech
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the 16th ASEAN-India Summit in Bangkok, Thailand today.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister expressed happiness in being part of the 16th India – ASEAN Summit. He thanked Thailand for the warm hospitality and extended best wishes to Vietnam for taking over as Chairman of next year’s Summit.
Prime Minister said that India’s Act East Policy is a significant cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific strategy; adding that ASEAN is at the core of Act East Policy. A strong ASEAN will immensely benefit India. Prime Minister highlighted steps being taken to improve surface, maritime, air and digital connectivity. One billion dollar Indian line of credit will prove beneficial for improving physical and digital connectivity, he said.
Prime Minister highlighted that last year’s Commemorative Summit and Singapore Informal Summit’s Decisions implementation has brought India and ASEAN closer. India is willing to increase cooperation and partnership in areas mutually beneficial to India and ASEAN and expressed readiness to improve partnership and capacity building in the areas of agriculture, research, engineering, science and ICT.
Prime Minister said that India wants to strengthen cooperation in the areas of maritime security and blue economy. He also welcomed the recent decision to review India ASEAN FTA saying it will improve economic partnership between the two countries.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the East Asia and RCEP summits in Bangkok today. Besides he will also hold meetings with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Australian PM Scott Morrison in Bangkok, before he returns to Delhi tonight.
Prime Minister would be steering India’s negotiations at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or the RCEP. RCEP is a comprehensive free trade agreement being negotiated between the 10 ASEAN Member States and ASEAN’s free trade agreement partners Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to dispel the notion that India is as reluctant to join the RCEP trade deal. In a detailed interview to Bangkok Post he said, India remains committed to a comprehensive and balanced outcome from the ongoing RCEP negotiations but India would like a win-win outcome.
He added that addressing India’s concerns over unsustainable trade deficits is important.
Prime Minister expressed that a mutually beneficial RCEP, in which all sides gain reasonably, is in interests of India and of all partners in the negotiation.
RCEP negotiations which began in Cambodia in 2012 covers areas, including trade in goods and services, investment, market access, economic cooperation, intellectual property and e-commerce.
=======================================================================
RCEP was nothing but an extension of BRI by China where it would have increased it market in ASEAN nations along with Pacific nations.
China is slowing, ageing, and it going thru a major social churn. Political it is now ruled by an emperor. Economically, US trade wars is hitting it hard. The country has over capacity of everything and no market to fulfill the supply. With US imposing heavy tarrifs and EU zone in decline, it needs new market.
BRI is nothing but using the surplus (and cheap) production to further extend the Chinese influence. All the projects under BRI are given to Chinese firms and the labour force is mostly Chinese. As BRI continues to fail in country after country, China desperately needs new market. And what better than India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and other children producing country of Asia!
RCEP would have slashed tariffs across the board and allow Chinese to flood the Indian market with cheap steel, Tires, dairy products, Plastics, and other materials. Our local industry and manufacturing would have crashed before taking off and we would have expanded our deficit with China.
Unlike NAFTA, TPP and other US led treaties, RCEP wasn’t forcing the nations to make structural reforms, improve labour laws, environmental concerns or intellectual property protection. RCEP was all about “low grade” treaty to open market for China.
1. Dairy products
2. Steel
3. Tires
4. Chemicals
5. Generic Meds export
6. Grains
Australia and NZ needs Chinese money and they want China to buy their debt. They will continue to bend to China but by opting out of RCEP, India has shown to the world that it is the only country in Asia that is ready to stand up to China. The repercussions of this will be huge. US ambassador recently visit Tawang - an area claimed by China and now India did this.
There are some buddhijeevs who are being critical of this step by saying India is shying away from globalization. Well Globalization is 2 decade old theme. This is an age of protecting self interest. You don’t open up your markets when US is closing it - China will dump everything at your shores and will eat away your industries. Being all cool and talking about open border and lower tariffs is nice but in reality it is about protecting your country and it’s banking system. We got to do what US is doing. Follow the leader if you are not the leader.
PM MODI JI LEAVING THAILAND TO BHARATHAM
JAY HIND
JAY BHARATHAM
VANDHE MATHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAY.
WARM SEND OFF
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#OPINION : 05/11/2019 : 1944.
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#I. Bilateral Meetings of the PM on the sidelines of ASEAN – India Summit, Bangkok : 3 Nov, 2019 : News Updates : PMINDIA.
========================================================================Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held separate meetings with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he discussed with the leaders on ways to expand the cooperation with the two countries.
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*1. PM’s meeting with the PM of Thailand : 3 Nov, 2019.
========================================================================Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Thailand Gen(ret.) Prayut Chan-o-Cha on 3rd November 2019 on the sidelines of 35th ASEAN Summit, 14th East Asia Summit(EAS) and 16th India-ASEAN Summit.
During the meeting both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relationship and noted that frequent high level meetings and exchanges at all levels have created positive momentum in the relationship. Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in defence industries sector. Welcoming 20% growth in bilateral trade last year, leaders decided to task the trade officials to discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment.
The Prime Ministers also discussed ways to enhance connectivity between the two countries including in the areas of physical and digital connectivity. Both leaders welcomed the growing air connectivity between the two countries and start of a direct flight between Bangkok and Guwahati and also finalisation of agreements for cooperation between Ranong Port, Thailand and Indian ports in Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. PM Modi thanked Thai PM for the invitation extended to him to attend the ASEAN related meetings, and also congratulated him on his leadership as Chair of ASEAN. He positively assessed the contribution of Thailand as the Country Coordinator for India-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for further strengthening this relationship.
India and Thailand are close maritime neighbours having historical and cultural linkages. In the contemporary context, India’s ‘Act East’ policy is complimented by Thailand’s ‘Look West’ policy which has made the relationship deep, robust and multifaceted.
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*2. PM’s meeting with President of Indonesia : 03 Nov, 2019.
=======================================================================-Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of Republic of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo in Bangkok on 3 November 2019 on the sidelines of ASEAN/EAS related meetings.
PM Modi congratulated President Widodo on the start of his second term as the President of Indonesia and conveyed that as the world’s two largest democratic and plural societies, India is committed to work with Indonesia to strengthen ties in the areas of defence, security, connectivity, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Noting that India and Indonesia are close maritime neighbours, both leaders reiterated their commitment to work together for peace, security and prosperity in order to achieve their shared vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders discussed the threat of extremism and terrorism and agreed to work closely bilaterally and globally to tackle this menace.
Prime Minister Modi had a forward looking discussion on enhancing bilateral trade and highlighted the need for greater market access for Indian commodities including, pharmaceutical, automotive and agricultural products. While noting that Indian companies have made substantial investment in Indonesia, PM Modi invited Indonesian companies to use the opportunities presented in India for investment.
Prime Minister Modi invited President Widodo to visit India at a mutually convenient time next year.
India attaches high priority to its bilateral relationship with Indonesia, with which we share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This year, India and Indonesia are also commemorating the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.
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*3. PM’s meeting with State Counsellor of Myanmar : 03 Nov, 2019.
========================================================================Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar on the margins of the ASEAN-India Summit on November 03, 2019. Recalling his last visit to Myanmar in September 2017, and the visit of the State Counsellor to India during the ASEAN-India commemorative Summit in January 2018, the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress of the vital partnership between the two countries.
Prime Minister emphasized the priority India attaches to Myanmar as a partner at the crossroads of India’s Look East Policy and the Neighbourhood First policies. Towards this end, he emphasized India’s continuing commitment to improve physical connectivity to and through Myanmar to Southeast Asia, including through building road, port and other infrastructure. India would also continue to strongly support the expansion of capacity for Myanmar’s police, military and civil servants, as well as its students and citizens. The leaders agreed that people to people connectivity would help expand the base of the partnership, and therefore welcomed the expansion of air connectivity between the two countries, and the growing interest of India’s businesses in Myanmar, including the plans of the Government of India to host a business event for the CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) in Yangon at the end of November 2019.
State Counsellor Daw Suu Kyi reaffirmed the importance her Government attached to the partnership with India, and her appreciation of India’s consistent and sustained support for the widening of democracy and deepening of development in Myanmar.
The two Leaders agreed that a stable and peaceful border was an important anchor for the continued expansion of our partnership. Prime Minister emphasized the value India attaches to Myanmar’s cooperation in ensuring that insurgent groups do not find space to operate across the India-Myanmar border.
With regard to the situation in Rakhine, following the completion of the first Indian project to build 250 prefabricated houses–which were handed over to the Myanmar Government this July–PM expressed India’s readiness to carry out more socio-economic projects in this State. PM emphasized that the speedy, safe and sustainable return from Bangladesh of displaced people to their homes in Rakhine State was in the interests of the region, the displaced persons, and all three neighbouring States: India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The two Leaders agreed to maintain the tempo of high level interactions in the year ahead, recognizing that strong ties across all pillars of cooperation were in the fundamental interests of both countries.
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*4. PM Meets Japanese PM Shinzo Abe : 04 Nov, 2019.
=======================================================================Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe on the margins of India-ASEAN and East Asia Summit 2019 at Bangkok on 04 November 2019. The two leaders have met with each other thrice in the last about four months, and their previous meeting was in Vladivostok in September 2019.
The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Abe on the recent coronation of the Emperor of Japan. Prime Minister Abe recalled warmly the participation of the President of India in the ceremony.
Prime Minister Modi said that he eagerly looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister Abe in India next month for India-Japan Annual Summit. He also said that he was convinced of the success of the forthcoming Annual Summit in further deepening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
The leaders welcomed the increasing economic engagement between the two countries, propelled by high-level exchanges. The leaders also reviewed the progress on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project and reaffirmed their commitment to advance mutual efforts to facilitate the smooth implementation of the project.
The leaders welcomed that the inaugural 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue will take place later this month in India. They agreed that the Dialogue will help provide impetus to the bilateral security and defence cooperation between the two sides.
The two Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on a rules-based order. They agreed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation, including in thirdcountries, for achieving the shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress of the Indo-Pacific region.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*5. Meeting of PM with Prime Minister of Australia :04 Nov, 2019.
========================================================================During the meeting both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relationship and noted that frequent high level meetings and exchanges at all levels have created positive momentum in the relationship and reaffirmed their desire to further strengthen India-Australia bilateral relations.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment for a free, open, transparent and inclusive Indo-Pacific region for promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity. The two leaders noted that the strategic and economic interests of both countries are converging , which opens up opportunities for working together bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally.
Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime domain. The two leaders discussed the threat of extremism and terrorism and agreed to work closely to tackle this menace.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated his invitation to Australian Prime Minister to visit India in January 2020 and to his keynote speech at Raisina Dialogue. Both leaders underlined the need to have thorough preparation to ensure a successful outcome from the visit.
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*6. Meeting of PM with Prime Minister of Vietnam : 04 Nov, 2019.
========================================================================Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the sidelines of India-ASEAN and East Asia Summit 2019 at Bangkok on 04 November 2019.
The Leaders reaffirmed the historical and traditional friendly relations between the two countries and emphasized that India-Vietnam relations have been built on a firm foundation of cultural and civilisational links and are marked by mutual trust and understanding as well as strong cooperation in regional and international fora.
It was highlighted during the meeting that recent high-level exchanges between both countries have resulted in robust cooperation in several areas, expansion of defence and security ties, forging of closer economic and commercial linkages and deepening of people-to-people engagement.
Noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security fields, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime domain. The two leaders discussed the threat of extremism and terrorism and agreed to work closely to tackle this menace.
The two sides reiterated their desire to promote peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders committed to the maintenance of a rules-based order that is based on respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This will promote independence of navigation, overflight and rules-based trade in South China Sea.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s readiness to work closely with Vietnam as the incoming Chairman of ASEAN for 2020, and during its tenure as non-permanent member of UNSC for2020-2021.
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#II. Address by PM at the inaugural ceremony of the 16th India-ASEAN Summit : 3 Nov, 2019.
========================================================================Your Excellency Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha,
Excellencies,
Your Majesty,
I am pleased to meet you once again at the India-ASEAN Summit format. I thank Thailand for the excellent arrangements and hospitality of the highest standard. I also wish Vietnam all the best to chair the ASEAN and East Asia Summits next year.
Excellencies,
I welcome the mutual coordination of the Indo-Pacific Outlook between India and ASEAN. India’s Act East Policy is an important part of our Indo-Pacific vision. ASEAN is and always will be the heart of our Act East Policy. Integrated, organized and economically developing ASEAN is in India’s basic interest. We are committed to further strengthen our partnership through stronger surface, maritime and air-connectivity and digital-link. $ 1 billion line of credit will be useful for physical and digital connectivity. Our intention is to greatly increase the traffic of people for study, research, trade and tourism.
To achieve this goal, India is ready to increase partnership with ASEAN in the area of mutual interests. Implementing the decisions taken last year at the Commemorative Summit and the Informal Summit in Singapore has brought us closer. We are ready to further increase capacity building and partnerships in areas such as agriculture, science, research, ICT and engineering. I welcome the recent decision to review the ASEAN-India FTA. This will not only make our economic relations more stronger, but our trade will also be balanced. We also want to strengthen our partnership in the areas of maritime security, blue economy and humanitarian aid. After listening to the views of your Excellencies, I would like to talk about some aspects in detail. I once again express my deep gratitude to Thailand and all of you from the heart.
Disclaimer: PM’s speech was delivered in Hindi. This is an approximate translation of the speech
=======================================================================
#III. PM attends 16th India – ASEAN Summit in Bangkok : 3 Nov, 2019
=======================================================================Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the 16th ASEAN-India Summit in Bangkok, Thailand today.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister expressed happiness in being part of the 16th India – ASEAN Summit. He thanked Thailand for the warm hospitality and extended best wishes to Vietnam for taking over as Chairman of next year’s Summit.
Prime Minister said that India’s Act East Policy is a significant cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific strategy; adding that ASEAN is at the core of Act East Policy. A strong ASEAN will immensely benefit India. Prime Minister highlighted steps being taken to improve surface, maritime, air and digital connectivity. One billion dollar Indian line of credit will prove beneficial for improving physical and digital connectivity, he said.
Prime Minister highlighted that last year’s Commemorative Summit and Singapore Informal Summit’s Decisions implementation has brought India and ASEAN closer. India is willing to increase cooperation and partnership in areas mutually beneficial to India and ASEAN and expressed readiness to improve partnership and capacity building in the areas of agriculture, research, engineering, science and ICT.
Prime Minister said that India wants to strengthen cooperation in the areas of maritime security and blue economy. He also welcomed the recent decision to review India ASEAN FTA saying it will improve economic partnership between the two countries.
========================================================================
#IV. PM to participate in East Asia and RCEP Summit in Bangkok : 04 Nov, 2019.
========================================================================'Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the East Asia and RCEP summits in Bangkok today. Besides he will also hold meetings with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Australian PM Scott Morrison in Bangkok, before he returns to Delhi tonight.
Prime Minister would be steering India’s negotiations at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or the RCEP. RCEP is a comprehensive free trade agreement being negotiated between the 10 ASEAN Member States and ASEAN’s free trade agreement partners Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to dispel the notion that India is as reluctant to join the RCEP trade deal. In a detailed interview to Bangkok Post he said, India remains committed to a comprehensive and balanced outcome from the ongoing RCEP negotiations but India would like a win-win outcome.
He added that addressing India’s concerns over unsustainable trade deficits is important.
Prime Minister expressed that a mutually beneficial RCEP, in which all sides gain reasonably, is in interests of India and of all partners in the negotiation.
RCEP negotiations which began in Cambodia in 2012 covers areas, including trade in goods and services, investment, market access, economic cooperation, intellectual property and e-commerce.
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#V. PMO India : Report Card.
========================================================================#RCEP and the great Indian escape!
While a lot has been said, little has been discussed on RCEP. India opted out of it and we dare say - this is one of the best decisions by Modi as PM (Surgical Strike and Kashmir included in the list of decisions).RCEP was nothing but an extension of BRI by China where it would have increased it market in ASEAN nations along with Pacific nations.
China is slowing, ageing, and it going thru a major social churn. Political it is now ruled by an emperor. Economically, US trade wars is hitting it hard. The country has over capacity of everything and no market to fulfill the supply. With US imposing heavy tarrifs and EU zone in decline, it needs new market.
BRI is nothing but using the surplus (and cheap) production to further extend the Chinese influence. All the projects under BRI are given to Chinese firms and the labour force is mostly Chinese. As BRI continues to fail in country after country, China desperately needs new market. And what better than India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and other children producing country of Asia!
RCEP would have slashed tariffs across the board and allow Chinese to flood the Indian market with cheap steel, Tires, dairy products, Plastics, and other materials. Our local industry and manufacturing would have crashed before taking off and we would have expanded our deficit with China.
Unlike NAFTA, TPP and other US led treaties, RCEP wasn’t forcing the nations to make structural reforms, improve labour laws, environmental concerns or intellectual property protection. RCEP was all about “low grade” treaty to open market for China.
#The key sectors where India would have been hurt are:
1. Dairy products
2. Steel
3. Tires
4. Chemicals
5. Generic Meds export
6. Grains
#There are very few upsides and large downsides.
Australia and NZ needs Chinese money and they want China to buy their debt. They will continue to bend to China but by opting out of RCEP, India has shown to the world that it is the only country in Asia that is ready to stand up to China. The repercussions of this will be huge. US ambassador recently visit Tawang - an area claimed by China and now India did this.
===============================================#Sometimes you just need to stand up to a bully. That is all it takes!
#"CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONEST, SINCERE, DEDICATED, HARD WORKING AND NATION LOVING BELOVED PM MODI JI."
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#"On one hand Congress increased trade deficit with China from $1.9 billion to $44.8 billion & also entered into #RCEP discussions to destroy Indian trade & when PM refused to sign it, Rahul baba as usual is lying to misguide you."
=======================================================================JAY HIND
JAY BHARATHAM
VANDHE MATHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAY.
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