PM embarks on 10-day tour to attend key summits

Asserting that ASEAN is at the core of India's 'Act East' policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today headed to Myanmar to attend the Summit with the ten-nation grouping and the East Asia Summit.

Modi left by a special Air India plane for Nay Pyi Taw on the first leg of his 10-day, three-nation tour that will also take him to Australia, where he will attend the G-20 meet, and Fiji.

"ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterised by cooperation and integration," the Prime Minister said before his departure.

Modi said he was looking forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders how to take 'our relationship to a new level, which will supplement our deepening bilateral ties with each member'.

The Prime Minister will meet over 40 leaders from countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Pacific Region during the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits on November 12-13 in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw, the G 20 Summit in Brisbane and the visit to Fiji Islands.

Noting that no other region in the world embodies so much dynamism or faces so many challenges as the region spanning the Indian Ocean, continental Asia and Pacific Ocean, he said the East Asia Summit has the potential to shape this region and the world's future.

"At the East Asia Summit, I look forward to discussing with ASEAN and seven global leaders how we can strengthen regional institutions, international norms and regional cooperation in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity," the Prime Minister said in a statement.

On the sidelines of the international summits in Myanmar, Modi is slated to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Singapore President Tony Tan, besides the host President Thein Sein.

The ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, while the EAS members 10 ASEAN nations and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

At the G-20 Summit, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the importance of international cooperation against black money would be a key issue.

He will also discuss with other leaders ways to accelerate the creation of next generation infrastructure, which also includes digital infrastructure, and ensure access to clean and affordable energy.