Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called ASEAN as the central pillar of India’s Act East Policy, adding the region will play a key role in India’s Indo-Pacific initiative.

Our history and geography unite India and ASEAN. Along with it, our shared values, regional integration, and our shared belief in peace, prosperity and multipolar world also unites us”, the prime minister said at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.“This year’s theme is ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. ASEAN matters because here everyone’s voice is heard & ASEAN is epicentrum of growth because ASEAN plays an important role in global growth”, Modi said.The prime minister added,”Last year we celebrated the India-ASEAN friendship day & gave it a form of comprehensive strategic partnership.