♦ Prime Minister Marendra Modi  attended the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) on 11 October 2024 in Vientiane, Laos. Modi has stressed that a free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific is vital for the peace and progress of the entire region. He said peace, security and stability of the South China Sea is in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region.

♦ The Prime Minister emphasized that it is necessary to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and international laws. He said emphasis must be laid on humanitarian approach, dialogue and diplomacy. He said India will continue to make every possible contribution in this direction.

♦ Modi also met his Thailand counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of East Asia Summit in Vientiane. The leaders exchanged views on areas of India-Thailand bilateral relations and ways to forge closer regional cooperation through BIMSTEC.