PM Modi embarks on a 3-day visit to Thailand for ASEAN summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, vember 2, is scheduled to embark on a three-day visit to Thailand to participate in ASEAN, East Asia, and RCEP summits. On first day of his visit, Prime Minister will dress Indian community living in Thailand and will also launch  commemorative coin marking 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, as well as release of a Thai translation of Tamil classic Tirukkural, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 

On vember 3, PM Modi will co-chair 16th ASEAN-India summit with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who has invited PM Modi to Thailand.

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" ASEAN-related summits are an integral part of our diplomatic calendar. This will be Prime Minister Modi's seventh ASEAN-India summit and sixth East Asia Summit," Ministry of External Affairs' Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh h said during a press briefing on Thursday. "Last year, in January, you would recall that India h hosted 25th-anniversary commemorative summit of Indo-ASEAN in which all 10 ASEAN leers h participated. n, Delhi Declaration was opted wherein it was agreed to furr strengn and deepen ASEAN-India strategic partnership," she ded. 

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Assessment of progress

meeting will make an assessment of  progress me in relationship between India and ASEAN member countries. Several Indian initiatives are currently implemented in this regard, such as New Delhi's commitment to offering 1,000 PhD scholarships to ASEAN students at IITs. With budget of around Rs 300 crores, initiative is said to be largest human resource initiative for ASEAN member nations by India and for any of member nations’ dialogue partners. 

initiative was launched in September this year by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal toger. 

"Strengning ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms, enhancing connectivity, wher it is sea, land, air, digital, people-to-people, deepening our ecomic partnership, enhancing cooperation in digital domain, including cybersecurity, and improving marine-time cooperation are some of key mes of India-ASEAN cooperation," Vijay Thakur Singh said. 

" me of this has been chosen by Thailand. In fact, Thailand, under its chairmanship, is promoting mes vancing partnerships for sustainability. So, we are also working to support this me and contributing to discussions that are taking place," she ded. 

On sidelines of three summits, Prime Minister will hold several bilateral talks. He will return to New Delhi on evening of vember 4. 

(With ANI inputs)

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