New Delhi, November 11 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the importance of global cooperation against black money will be a “key issue” he will highlight at the upcoming G20 summit in Brisbane, as he embarks on a three-nation visit from Tuesday.
Seeking to inject momentum in the country’s ‘Act East’ policy, Modi will undertake the 10-day visit of Myanmar, Australia and Fiji to attend key multilateral summits and undertake bilateral meetings during which India is expected to push for steps to create more jobs and improve world economy.
“A key issue for me would be to highlight the importance of international cooperation against black money,” Modi said in a pre-departure statement. As India attempts to unearth black money stashed abroad, Modi is expected to renew the country’s commitment to a global response to deal with cross border tax avoidance and evasion.
In the statement, Modi said during the course of the ASEAN-India and East Asian summits in Myanmar Capital Nay Pyi and at the G20 summit in Brisbane and bilateral visits to Australia and Fiji he will meet over 40 leaders from countries representing Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Pacific Region.
At the annual summit of the Group of 20 of the world’s biggest developed and emerging economies, Modi said he intends to discuss how it can accelerate creation of next generation infrastructure, which also includes digital infrastructure, and ensure access to clean and affordable energy. The two-day summit will be held from November 15. G20 accounts for 85 per cent of the world’s economic output.
During his foreign tour, Modi will undertake a bilateral visit for talks with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra after the G20 summit. Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to visit Australia in 28 years since Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
“While we have much in common with Australia, our political, strategic and economic relations have been below potential. A closer strategic partnership with Australia will support India’s economic goals; promote our security interests, including maritime security; and, reinforce our efforts to foster a climate of peace and stability in our extended continental and maritime neighbourhood,”
he said referring to his four-city, three-day visit from November 16 that covers Melbourne and Sydney besides Melbourne and Canberra. Modi and Abbott had summit talks in Delhi last month during which India and Australia sealed a civil nuclear deal.
Modi is also due to address a joint sitting of Federal Parliament in Canberra and the Indian community at a reception at the Olympic park in Sydney. Abbott will host a reception for his Indian counterpart at the iconic 161-year-old Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG).
Briefing newsmen on Modi’s visit to Australia, Anil Wadhwa, Secretary(East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the trip will be a “landmark visit” and is aimed at “re-engaging” that country.
Modi will travel to Fiji on a day-long visit on November 19 before returning home the next day. He will be the first Indian Premier to visit the south Pacific Island nation after a gap of 33 years, the first being Indira Gandhi in 1981.
The tour will begin in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw, where Modi will attend the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit on November 12-13. “ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterized by cooperation and integration.
I am looking forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders how to take our relationship to a new level, which will supplement our deepening bilateral ties with each member,” he said. The ten-nation ASEAN community has the third largest population; it would be the seventh largest economy in the world; and, the third fastest growing economic unit this century, he noted.
At the East Asia Summit (EAS), Modi said he looks forward to discussing with ASEAN and seven global leaders how they can strengthen regional institutions, international norms and regional cooperation in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity. The EAS has representation from 18 countries including India.
Modi said no region in the world embodies so much dynamism or faces so many challenges as the region spanning the Indian Ocean, continental Asia and Pacific Ocean. “And, no other forum, perhaps, has as much potential to shape this region and the world’s future as the East Asia Summit.”
Referring to his day-long visit to Fiji on November 19, Modi said it will be his privilege to visit that country soon after the return of democracy in September this year. “We also owe them a debt of gratitude for hosting our scientists on the island in support of our Mars Mission. I am excited about visiting Fiji as also with the opportunity I will have of meeting leaders and representatives of 12 Pacific Island nations,” he added.
Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Fiji after a gap of 33 years, the first being Indira Gandhi in 1981. He will have talks with Premier Frank Bainimarama. Out of the 849,000 population in Fiji, 37 per cent people are of Indian origin. Many Indians arrived in Fiji as indentured labour in the 19th century.
-INDIA TODAY
