Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited leaders of 10 South East Asian countries to attend the Republic Day celebrations in India. He also extended the invitation to participate in a commemorative summit marking the 25th anniversary of India’s ties.
PM Modi is currently at the ASEAN-India summit where his address speech included in his address an invitation to attend the Special Commemorate Summit. He said: “I am looking forward to a befitting culmination of the commemorative year and receiving you” at the India-ASEAN Special Commemorative Summit on January 25 next year in New Delhi.
“1.25 billion people of India are keen to welcome the ASEAN leaders as the Chief Guests at India’s 69th Republic Day celebrations,” PM Modi added.
According to Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, ASEAN leaders have “graciously” accepted PM Modi’s invitation to attend the two events starting January 25, 2017.
She said that the ASEAN India summit suggested that there was much scope for cooperation between the two sides on a variety of areas.
ASEAN has a significant share in the world’s population. With a total population of 1.85 billion, ASEAN clocks in one-fourth of the global population. Moreover, ASEAN’s combined GDP accounts for over USD 3.8 trillion.
Ramayana will be given prime importance at the commemorative summit in January. After watching a musical play at ASEAN-India summit, the Cambodian leadership suggested his desire to present Ramayana in a unique version. And what could have been better? The Indian diplomacy accepted the request and hence, different renditions of Ramayana will be presented at the summit.
This is a brilliant idea as it will reinstate civilization links with the ASEAN nations. Ramayana will play a major role in Mr. Saran said India will invite groups from all the 10 ASEAN countries for performance on a theme based on Ramayana as it reflected India’s civilizational links with the ASEAN nations.
The Indian and ASEAN relationship is being boosted and bolstered on the trade and business front.
