North News
New Delhi, October 11
India on Friday denied claims by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he had a ‘brief exchange’ with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos. Indian government sources asserted that no substantive discussions took place between the two leaders.
The denial followed Trudeau’s remarks to the media, where he suggested the interaction was meaningful. India, however, warned that relations with Canada cannot be mended unless Ottawa takes verifiable action against individuals promoting anti-India activities, including those supporting Khalistani extremism. Separately, Prime Minister Modi, addressing the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Vientiane, Lao PDR on Friday, underscored the severe impact of global conflicts on the Global South and called for dialogue and diplomacy based on humanitarian principles as the only path to peaceful resolution. He emphasized that military solutions would not bring lasting peace, highlighting the need for international cooperation to address the growing challenges of terrorism, cyber threats, and maritime security, which he described as serious threats to global stability.
Modi reinforced India’s strong support for ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific regional architecture, emphasizing its significance in India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and in broader Quad cooperation. He stressed that a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region is vital for peace and development, aligning India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Modi urged that the region should focus on development, steering away from expansionist approaches.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to the EAS mechanism, Modi recalled the support received from EAS member countries for the revival of Nalanda University. He extended an invitation to the leaders to participate in a Heads of Higher Education Conclave at the university. The summit also provided a platform for leaders to exchange views on pressing regional and international issues impacting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
