At Singapore summit, he calls for enhancing multilateral cooperation, economic and cultural ties

India was committed to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, as he called for enhancing multilateral cooperation and economic and cultural ties among member-nations at the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore.

It was Prime Minister Modi’s 5th East Asia Summit (EAS). India has been participating in the EAS since its very inception in 2005.

“At the East Asia Summit in Singapore, I shared my thoughts on enhancing multilateral cooperation, economic and cultural ties among member nations. Also reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Pacific region,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

The EAS consists of 10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. It was formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity.

Mr. Modi reiterated India’s vision of a peaceful, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, strengthening maritime cooperation and commitment to a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

The RCEP, involving 10 ASEAN members as well as China, Japan, Australia, India, New Zealand and South Korea, would cover about half the world’s population and a third of its GDP. Mr. Modi also interacted with leaders of other countries, including his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, before the summit retreat.

Interacts with cadets

Mr. Modi also met with the NCC cadets who got the opportunity to visit Singapore as a part of a cadet exchange programme. “Wonderful moments with my young friends... They shared their memorable learnings and experiences with me,” he tweeted.

Mr. Modi began his two-day visit to Singapore on Wednesday.