Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to Laos: Focus on Myanmar Conflict and ASEAN Relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Laos from October 10-11 to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. The ongoing conflict in Myanmar is expected to be a key topic of discussion. India supports dialogue as the only solution, aligning with ASEAN’s five-point consensus. The situation in Myanmar has been tense since a military coup three years ago, with India advocating for a return to democracy.
Another issue on the agenda is the problem of Indians being duped into fake job scams in Cambodia. The Ministry of External Affairs has been actively working with Cambodian authorities, resulting in the rescue and repatriation of over 1,000 Indian nationals since January 2022.
India’s Act East Policy, celebrating its 10th anniversary, has seen significant growth in relations with ASEAN and other regions, including Oceania and the Pacific islands. High-level visits and engagements have strengthened these ties, with Prime Minister Modi and other officials visiting several countries in the region.
Doubts Revealed
Laos -: Laos is a small country in Southeast Asia, known for its mountains and beautiful landscapes. It shares borders with countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
Myanmar Conflict -: The Myanmar conflict refers to the ongoing political and military unrest in Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia. It started after a military coup in 2021, leading to protests and violence.
ASEAN -: ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is a group of 10 countries in Southeast Asia that work together to promote economic growth and peace in the region.
Repatriated -: Repatriated means sending someone back to their own country. In this context, it refers to Indians who were brought back to India from Cambodia after being trapped in fake job scams.
Act East Policy -: India’s Act East Policy is a strategy to improve relations with Southeast Asian countries. It focuses on increasing trade, cultural ties, and strategic cooperation with these nations.