Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a four-day visit to Malaysia and Singapore. On the first day of his tour, the PM addressed a business summit of ASEAN countries in Kuala Lumpur. Addressing the Summit Modi said that India is a land of immense opportunities and invited investors from ASEAN countries to invest in India. PM Modi assured them ease of doing business in tune with the Make in India programme of the Government.

The PM further termed India and ASEAN countries as natural partners. The PM said that the 21st Century belongs to Asia, due to the track record of ASEAN countries. He added that despite cutting fiscal deficit, India has substantially increased public productive investment. He pointed out the aim of reforms for his government is to transform India. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his 2-day visit to Malaysia by meeting Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

Modi will also hold talks with the top leadership of Malaysia, including his counterpart Najib Razak, on ways to ramp up bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including defense and security and take the strategic ties to a new level. The two sides are likely to sign a number of MoUs. Combating terrorism is likely to be one of the key issues at the 10th East Asia Summit as nations, shocked by the recent horrific Paris terror attacks, try to step up efforts to stem the menace.

Modi was greeted by a large crowd outside his hotel with placards, banners and waving Indian flags. As the Prime Minister’s car rolled in, the crowd burst out into chants of ‘Modi Modi’ as the security tried to contain the large crowd. PM Narendra Modi arrived in Malaysia to attend the 10th ASEAN-India Summit and 13th East Asia Summit.

What is ASEAN?

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a political and economic organization of ten Southeast Asian countries.
• It was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
• Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam.
• Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and socio-cultural evolution among its members, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.