IANS/Kuala Lumpur

Prime Minister Narendra yesterday sought enhanced co-operation from Asean countries to fight the scourge of terrorism and said that India and the southeast Asian regional grouping remained the two bright spots of optimism in these troubled global times.
“We meet at a time of multiple global challenges: economic uncertainties, political turmoil and security threats,” Modi said in his address as the 13th Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India Summit that got underway here.
“In this difficult moment, India and Asean are two bright spots of optimism,” he said.
Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The prime said terrorism has become a “major global challenge that affects us all here”.
“We have excellent bilateral co-operation with Asean members. And, we should see how we can enhance our co-operation at the regional and international level, including through support for adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,” he said.
On economic relations, Modi said India has emerged as the fastest growing economy with a growth rate of 7.5% while Asean’s economy continued to forge ahead with dynamism and energy.
“I have no doubt that we will reinforce prosperity for our 1.9bn people,” he said.
Modi said that after a temporary decline, trade between India and the Asean countries increased to about $76.5bn in 2014-15.
“Asean remains the largest investment partner both for inward and outward flows,” he said.
The prime minister, however, said that much of the potential for economic partnership between the two sides remained untapped.
“I am confident that our trade and investment will expand, as our economies grow.”
Modi also expressed hope for progress in negotiations for a balanced and ambitious Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that would cover goods and services as well as investments.
“Connectivity is the pathway to shared prosperity. The Trilateral (India-Myanmar-Thailand) Highway project is making good progress and should be completed by 2018,” he said.
Stating that science, technology and innovation constituted a vital pillar of co-operation between India and Asean, the prime minister said that the Asean-India Science and Technology Development Fund would be enlarged from the current $1mn to $5mn.
“We also intend to set up an Asean-India Innovation Platform to facilitate commercialisation of low cost technologies, technology transfer and collaborative R&D projects,” he said.
He also invited the Asean nations to join his proposed solar alliance.
“I have also proposed an international solar alliance of 122 solar-rich countries, which French President (Francois) Hollande and I will launch in Paris on November 30. We look forward to your participation in the launch and the alliance,” he said.
On Asean-India cultural links, Modi said India proposed to open an Asean Studies Centre in the Northeastern Hill University in Shillong, “which is our gateway to the East”.
Earlier yesterday, Modi addressed the Asean Business and Investment Summit where he asked the global investment community to set up shop in India and benefit from its fast growth, strong fundamentals, constant reforms and a welcoming environment.
“By almost every major economic indicator India’s doing better than when we took office 18 months ago,” Modi said.
“Obviously, this did not happen by accident. The world economy is not exactly doing well. This success is the result of a series of concerted policies,” he said, adding the idea was not to reform alone but to reform for transformation.
“Most of the Asean economies have done their bit for Asia’s resurgence. Now it is India’s turn,” Modi said to loud applause.
“We know that our time has come.”
The prime minister outlined a host of measures taken to make India an investment-friendly destination, notably through campaigns such as “Make in India”, “Digital India” and “Skill India”.