Asean leaders presence at R-Day to showcase Act East policy: Sitharaman

New Delhi Jan 22 (IANS) The presence of leaders of Asean countries at the Republic Day parade on January 26 will display the Narendra Modi government s "Act East" policy Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

Speaking at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day camp here she said it is the Prime Minister s intention that the "Look East" policy be converted to an "Act East" policy.

"The Prime Minister s intention that the Look East policy should now be the Act East policy is really taking shape " Sitharaman said.

"And by the very presence of 10 leaders from Asean during the Republic Day celebrations India will definitely showcase its Act East policy " she said.

Leaders of all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc have confirmed participation as guests of honour at India s Republic Day celebrations to commemorate 25 years of New Delhi s close ties with the bloc.

The leaders from Indonesia Singapore Philippines Malaysia Brunei Thailand Cambodia Laos Myanmar and Vietnam will start arriving by January 24.

There will be a banquet hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind for the leaders to be followed by a plenary and a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

--IANS
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