Prioritise development over expansion in Indo-Pacific, says PM Modi in Laos

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasized that the Indo-Pacific region should pursue a development-based approach rather than one pivoted on expansionism.

Modi said this in his address at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Laos amid heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial control in the South China Sea.

"The peace, security and stability in the South China Sea are in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region," the prime minister said. "We believe that maritime activities should be conducted in accordance with Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). Ensuring freedom of navigation and airspace is essential. A robust and effective code of conduct should be developed. And it should not impose restrictions on the foreign policies of regional countries."


Noting that a free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific was important for peace and development in the region, Modi highlighted the similarity and common approach between India's Indo-Pacific Ocean's Initiative and the Asean Outlook on Indo-Pacific.

He also stressed Asean's central role in the Indo-Pacific regional architecture, in India's Indo-Pacific vision and in Quad cooperation. He underlined that India's participation in EAS is an important pillar of its Act East policy.

Reiterating the importance of the EAS mechanism and reaffirming India's support to further strengthen it, Modi recalled support received from EAS participating countries on the revival of Nalanda University.

He took the opportunity to invite EAS countries for a Heads of Higher Education Conclave to be held at Nalanda University.

Modi Meets Thai PM
Modi met Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the summit. This was their first meeting. They exchanged views on ways to forge closer cooperation in sub-regional, regional, and multilateral fora. In this context, the two leaders discussed strengthening regional cooperation through Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

The next edition of the Bimstec summit is being planned in Thailand in November.

Meanwhile, following the talks between Modi and Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the two countries signed agreements/memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in the fields of defence, broadcasting, customs cooperation, and for three quick impact projects (QIPs) under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.

The QIPs relate to preservation of heritage of Lao Ramayan, restoration of Wat Pakea Buddhist temple with murals related to Ramayan, and support to shadow puppetry theatre on Ramayan in Champasak province.

All three QIPs have government grant assistance of about $50,000 each. India will also provide grant assistance of about $1 million to improve nutrition security in Lao PDR. This assistance through the India UN Development Partnership Fund, will be the fund's first such project in South-East Asia.