PM Modi Leaves for Home As 3-Day Thailand Visit Concludes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Thailand on a three-day visit from 2 November to 4 November.
After attending ASEAN-India, East Asia and RCEP summits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his three-day Thailand visit on Monday, 4 November and emplaned for home.
India on Monday, 4 November, decided against joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
Announcing the decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,“The present form of the RCEP Agreement does not fully reflect the basic spirit and the agreed guiding principles of the RCEP. It also does not address satisfactorily India's outstanding issues and concerns. In such a situation, it is not possible for India to join RCEP Agreement.”
- PM Modi led Indian delegation to 16th ASEAN-India summit in Thailand.
- On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held several bilateral meetings.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Modi's Schedule in Thailand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed members of the Indian diaspora based in Thailand on the first day of his visit. He also release of a commemorative coin marking the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, as well as the release of a Thai translation of Tamil classic Tirukkural.
On the second day of his visit, Modi will co-chair the 16th Asean-India summit with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
On the final day of his visit, PM Modi will take part in the 14th East Asia summit.
India World's Most Attractive Economy for Investment: Modi
In an event to mark the golden jubilee of the Aditya Birla Group’s presence in Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has stopped working in a routine, bureaucratic manner as the country is undergoing transformative changes
Talking about his government’s economic initiatives Modi invited Thai business leaders to invest in India. He said his government is now starting face-less tax assessment so that there is no scope for discretion or harassment.
The prime minister said it was the best time to be in India and that many things such as foreign direct investment, ease of doing business, ease of living and productivity are rising while tax rates, red tapism, corruption, cronyism are on a decline.
The prime minister also referred to India's dream to become a five trillion dollar economy.
(Source: PTI)
Modi Addresses 16th ASEAN Summit
Addressing the 16th ASEAN summit, PM Modi said, “India is ready to expand cooperation with ASEAN including in maritime domain,” adding that enhancing connectivity between ASEAN and India important for overall growth of ties.
The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.
The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over USD 3.8 trillion. Investment from ASEAN to India has been over USD 70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 per cent of India's total FDI.
(Source: PTI)
Modi Meets Thai Counterpart Prayut Chan-o-Cha on Sidelines of ASEAN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Thailand Gen(ret) Prayut Chan-o-Cha on 3rd November 2019 on the sidelines of 35th ASEAN Summit, 14th East Asia Summit(EAS) and 16th India-ASEAN Summit.
Both leaders agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in defence industries sector. Welcoming 20 percent growth in bilateral trade last year, leaders decided to task the trade officials to discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment, MEA said in a statement.
The Prime Ministers also discussed ways to enhance connectivity between the two countries including in the areas of physical and digital connectivity. Both leaders welcomed the growing air connectivity between the two countries and start of a direct flight between Bangkok and Guwahati and also finalisation of agreements for cooperation between Ranong Port, Thailand and Indian ports in Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam.
PM Modi Holds 'Constructive' Meeting With Aung San Suu Kyi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a "constructive" meeting with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during which they explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of connectivity and capacity building.
PM Modi and Suu Kyi held the meeting on the sidelines of the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
It is not immediately known whether the issue of exiled Rohingya Muslims was raised in the meeting, according to PTI.
"Committed To Sign RCEP Pact By 2020": ASEAN Chairman Amid India's Demands
Southeast Asian countries are committed to signing a pact by February 2020 on forging what could become the world's largest trade bloc, news agency Reuters reported.
Going into this weekend's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok, there had been hopes of finalising negotiations this year on the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
However, ASEAN chairman's final statement released on Sunday, 3 November night said the 10-nation grouping welcomed a "commitment to sign the RCEP Agreement in 2020". "This will significantly contribute to an open, inclusive and rules-based international trading system and expansion of value chains."
PM Modi Meets Japan PM Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Bangkok for the ASEAN summit, met with Japan Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe on Monday 4 November.
Modi Meets Australian PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison in Bangkok.
India Decides Not to Join RCEP
India decides not to join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, ANI reported quoting sources. PM stands firm as key concerns not addressed; there will be no compromise on core interests. RCEP agreement does not reflect its original intent.
The key issues include inadequate protection against import surge,insufficient differential with China,possible circumvention of rules of origin,keeping the base year as 2014 and no credible assurances on market access and non-tariff barriers. #RCEP
MEA Secy (East) Briefs Media Over India's Decision to Not Join RCEP
Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East),MEA said that India conveyed its decision at the summit not to join RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) Agreement. “This reflects both our assessments of current global situation&of the fairness and balance of the agreement,” she said.
Cong Seeks Credit for India's Decision to Not Join RCEP
The Congress has sought to take credit for India not joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), saying that the “forceful opposition” by them and their leader Rahul Gandhi had made the government “back down.”
In a statement on video, Congress national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “A forceful opposition by the Congress and Rahul Gandhi ensured that the BJP government back down from bartering the interests of farmers, dairy producers, fishermen, small and medium businesses at the altar of political expediency.”
“A victory for all fighting for protecting national interests,” he tweeted.
'Will Ensure Support to Farmers, MSMEs, Industries': Shah on No RCEP Deal
Home Minister Amit Shah said, “India’s decision to not sign the RCEP agreement is a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong leadership and unflinching resolve to ensure national interest in all circumstances. It shall ensure support to our farmers, MSMEs, dairy and manufacturing sector, pharmaceutical, steel and chemical industries,” reported ANI.
Oppn to Hold Joint Protest Against RCEP During Parliament Session: Azad
The opposition will hold a joint protest on issues such as economic slowdown, RCEP, farm distress and unemployment during the upcoming Parliament session, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said after a meeting of senior opposition leaders in Delhi.
According to sources, in the meeting, there were discussions focused on the joint opposition's strategy to corner the government on poor economic indicators and India's decision to consider signing the RCEP earlier, reported PTI.
PM Modi Leaves for Home After Attending ASEAN-India Summit in Thailand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for home after attending ASEAN-India, the East Asia and the RCEP summits in Bangkok.
In his address at the annual India-ASEAN summit, Prime Minister Modi talked about the mutual coordination between India's vision of the Indo-Pacific and ASEAN Outlook for the strategically key region which has been witnessing growing Chinese assertiveness.
Modi also talked about cross border terrorism, the spread of violent extremism and the situation in the South China Sea, and underlined the need for greater cooperation between India and the ASEAN.
'Bold Decision': RSS Affiliate on Govt's Move to Not Join RCEP
The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) welcomed the government's decision of not signing the China-backed RCEP agreement and hailed it as a “bold decision.”
SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said that staying away from the RCEP is a decision in favour of the country's small businesses, farmers, dairy, data security and the manufacturing sector, reported PTI.