Thursday, March 28, 2024
 
National News
PM Modi calls for early conclusion of high-quality RCEP agreement
 
Singapore 14 November(Agencies)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated India's commitment to the early conclusion of a high-quality Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

Intervening in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, RCEP Summit in Singapore, Mr.Modi urged all leaders to give the required mandate to their trade ministers so that RCEP negotiations can be concluded at the earliest.

Prime Minister Modi said that the finalised agreement should be modern, comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial. The negotiations are on amongst ten ASEAN countries and six Asia Pacific states with which ASEAN has Free Trade Agreement.

India, China, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand are such countries. Briefing media after the Summit, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce Sudhanshu Pandey said, Prime Minister stressed the need for an early conclusion of the negotiations by fast-tracking and intensifying negotiations, bilaterally and multilaterally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held bilateral meetings with his Singaporean, Australian and Thai counterparts on the margins of East Asia Summit in Singapore.

In his meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong, the two leaders exchanged views on cooperation in financial technology, enhanced connectivity and regional economic integration.

Mr Modi also met Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The two leaders had a good discussion on deepening ties in trade and investment, defence and security and other areas of bilateral cooperation.

Stepping up engagements with a valued regional partner as part of Act East Policy, Mr Modi met Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha. They discussed cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security and connectivity.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of ASEAN summit in Singapore.

During the meeting, Mr Modi invited the US to make defence equipment and set up a defence Industry in India as it can become a hub of export to the rest of the region.

Mr Pence also acknowledged that India has made substantial progress economically and diplomatically in regional and international affairs. He also appreciated the strong leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
 
 
 
 
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