Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be embarking on a visit to Malaysia and Singapore during November 21-25 in a bid to strengthen India’s ties with these countries as well as expanding the strategic relationship with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Modi will be landing in Malaysia on November 21 to attend the India 13th India-ASEAN Summit and 10th East Asia Summit.
During these summits, the issue of South China Sea (SCS) dispute is expected to feature prominently in the talks, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“The South China Sea issue is going to come up during these meetings. India has a consistent stand on this issue. We expect this issue to be settled through negotiations in a peaceful of manner. India does not take a stand on this issue and does not favour any party. We ask for speedy conclusion and implementation of code of conduct between ASEAN and China,” said Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) during a press conference here today.
He also added that India will also discuss expansion of defence ties with the 10-member ASEAN grouping under the strategic partnership and cooperation agreement.
Both sides will also be taking stock of the progress reached on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is being negotiated with ASEAN and six of its trading partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
“Both sides will discuss the recent progress made on the RCEP negotiations. We hope that the deal will be concluded by 2016. However, a declaration on RCEP will be signed during this visit,” Wadhwa added.
PM is also expected to have bilateral meetings with Japan, China, New Zealand, Vietnam and Myanmar on the sidelines of the meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
Modi will be visiting Singapore on November 23 where he will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong. During this visit both sides will be elevating the bilateral ties to the next phase by signing the strategic partnership agreement.