Modi lands in "beautiful" Myanmar for ASEAN-EAS summit

Modi on Tuesday afternoon landed in the Myanmarese capital Nay Pyi Taw by a special Air India plane, where he was greeted by Myanmar Health Minister Than Aung and senior Myanmarese and Indian officials at Nay Pyi Taw International Airport.

Right after landing, Modi tweeted, "Landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to a very warm welcome! Great being in this beautiful country."

Modi will attend the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit on Wednesday and Thursday.

The 12th ASEAN-India summit kicks off on Wednesday with Modi expected to make a strong pitch to step up engagement with the 10-nation bloc by improving regional connectivity to give a boost to trade and people-to-people contacts.

ASEAN-India summit Modi said: "The ten-nation ASEAN community has the third largest population; it would be the seventh largest economy in the world; and, the third fastest growing economic unit this century.

This dynamic region is our continental and maritime neighbor, linked by centuries-old ties.

ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterized by cooperation and integration.

I am looking forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders how to take our relationship to a new level, which will supplement our deepening bilateral ties with each member."

Modi is expected to review the proceedings of the 3,200-km highway project linking India, Myanmar and Thailand, which is already underway.

It is noteworthy to mention that ASEAN comprises of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

On East Asia Summit (EAS), he said: "No region in the world embodies so much dynamism or faces so many challenges as the region spanning the Indian Ocean, continental Asia and Pacific Ocean.

And, no other forum, perhaps, has as much potential to shape this region and the world`s future as the East Asia Summit.

At the East Asia Summit, I look forward to discussing with ASEAN and seven global leaders how we can strengthen regional institutions, international norms and regional cooperation in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity."

The EAS comprises 10 ASEAN nations, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

During the course of his 10-day three-nation tour, Modi will visit to Australia for the G-20 Summit and bilateral talks with his Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, after wrapping up Myanmar visit.

PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Abbott in Canberra after the annual summit of the Group of 20 of the world’s biggest developed and emerging economies.

The two-day G20 summit will be held in Brisbane from November 15.

Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia since Rajiv Gandhi did in 1986.

On Australia visit PM remarked, "I am looking forward to my four-city, three-day visit to Australia with great enthusiasm.

I am conscious of the fact that a Prime Ministerial visit from India is taking place after 28 years.

While we have much in common with Australia, our political, strategic and economic relations have been below potential.

A closer strategic partnership with Australia will support India`s economic goals; promote our security interests, including maritime security; and, reinforce our efforts to foster a climate of peace and stability in our extended continental and maritime neighbourhood."

Regarding G-20 summit, Modi said: "The G 20 Summit, which brings together countries that account for 85% of the world`s economic output, is a key forum for countries to coordinate their activities and pursue collective action to support global economic growth and stability, stable financial markets and global trading regimes and employment generation.

I also intend to discuss how we can accelerate the creation of next generation infrastructure, which also includes digital infrastructure, and ensure access to clean and affordable energy.

A key issue for me would be to highlight the importance of international cooperation against black money."

According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he will visit Fiji on his way back home from Australia.

In Fiji, Modi will hold talks with the Fijian leadership including Fijian premier J V Bainimarama.

About his visit to Fiji islands, Modi said, "It is in pursuit of the same goals as well our historical and ethnic links that will take me to Fiji Islands, 33 years after the last visit of Prime Minister.

It will be my privilege to visit Fiji soon after the return of democracy in September 2014.

We also owe them a debt of gratitude for hosting our scientists on the island in support of our Mars Mission.

I am excited about visiting Fiji as also with the opportunity I will have of meeting leaders and representatives of 12 Pacific Island nations.

I am grateful to them for coming to Fiji at short notice. We can build stronger economic cooperation and closer partnership in international and multilateral forums with our friends in Pacific Island.

I look forward to a future of regular engagement and more robust cooperation with Fiji and other Pacific Island countries."

On the eve of his departure, PM on Monday has said: "I leave for Myanmar, Australia and Fiji tomorrow with a great sense of anticipation and fully conscious of the significance of the India-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in Myanmar`s capital Nay Pyi Taw, the G 20 Summit in Brisbane Australia, the bilateral visit to Australia and the visit to Fiji Islands, where I will also have the opportunity to meet leaders of the Pacific Islands.

During the course of these Summits and my bilateral visits, I will meet over 40 leaders from countries representing Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Pacific Region, as also heads of many multilateral institutions.

These meetings are taking place at a time of multiple global challenges. I look forward to seeking a global environment that supports our aspirations for economic development and a peaceful world. "

The PM tweeted the web address for a page on his website which will carry updates about his visit.

“Do keep sharing thoughts & ideas for the visit. Here is a great place to keep updated on the visit: http://international.narendramodi.in/australia_home,” the PM said.

He also invited people to share "thoughts and ideas" on his Australia trip.