PM Modi visit to Indonesia: Modi attends ASEAN-India Summit, gets rousing welcome from Indian diaspora
ASEAN-India Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ASEAN-India Summit at the Jakarta Convention Centre on Thursday.
On his arrival at the Jakarta Convention Centre in Indonesia, PM Modi was welcomed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the centre.
India-Indonesia partnership reached fourth decade
In his address at ASEAN-India summit, PM Modi said, "Our partnership has reached the fourth decade. It is an honour for me to co-chair this Summit. I want to congratulate Indonesian President Joko Widodo for organising this Summit..."
Earlier PM Modi said he is looking forward to “working with various leaders for making a better planet.” He said, "Last year we celebrated the India-ASEAN Friendship Day and gave it a form of comprehensive strategic partnership..."
PM Modi gets grand welcome in Indonesia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Jakarta on Thursday early morning, received a grand welcome from the Indian community.
PM Modi greeted the members of the Indian diaspora who gathered at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta to welcome him amid chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Modi Modi'.
PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Jakarta International Airport. He was received by I. Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection.
PM Modi also interacted with the Indian community members, including kids.
"He (PM Modi) is such a big leader but he is so down to earth, he shook hands with all of us and gave time to each one of us..." one of the members of the Indian Diaspora said.
The ASEAN-India Summit is the first summit since the elevation of the ties between India and the ASEAN bloc of countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
The Prime Minister's visit to Indonesia comes ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 under India's Presidency this year. Indonesia is part of the G20 'troika' as it had the presidency of the grouping last year.
He also termed the engagement with the ASEAN group as an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East Policy'. The Prime Minister is visiting Jakarta at the invitation of the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo