India committed to peaceful and prosperous Indo Pacific region: PM Modi
Singapore, Nov 15 : India was committed to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as he called for enhancing multilateral cooperation, economic and cultural ties among member nations at the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore.
It was Prime Minister Modi's 5th East Asia Summit (EAS). India has been participating in the EAS since its very inception in 2005.
"At the East Asia Summit in Singapore, I shared my thoughts on enhancing multilateral cooperation, economic and cultural ties among member nations. Also reiterated India's commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Pacific region," the prime minister tweeted.
The EAS consists of 10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US. It was formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's vision of a peaceful, open and inclusive Indo Pacific region, strengthening maritime cooperation and commitment to a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.
The RCEP, involving 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) as well as China, Japan, Australia, India, New Zealand and South Korea, would cover about half the world's population and a third of its GDP.
Prime Minister Modi also interacted with leaders of other countries, including his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, before the East Asia Summit Retreat.
Later, the EAS leaders posed for a customary group photograph.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi participated in the ASEAN-India Breakfast Summit where he underlined the need for maritime cooperation and centrality of trade for the prosperity of the strategic Indo-Pacific region.
"Had a great interaction with ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-India Informal Breakfast Summit. We are happy that ties with ASEAN are strong and are contributing to a peaceful and prosperous planet," Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi also met with the NCC cadets who got the opportunity to visit Singapore as a part of a cadet exchange programme.
"Wonderful moments with my young friends. Spent time with NCC cadets, who got the opportunity to come to Singapore as a part of a cadet exchange programme. They shared their memorable learnings and experiences with me," Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi began his two-day visit to Singapore Wednesday by delivering his keynote address at the prestigious Fintech Festival.
He also held separate bilateral meetings with US Vice President Mike Pence and the premiers of Singapore, Australia and Thailand and discussed ways to further strengthen ties, including in areas of trade, defence and security.
Before leaving for Singapore, Modi had said in New Delhi that his participation in the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits symbolised India's "continued commitment" to strengthen its engagement with ASEAN members and with the wider Indo-Pacific region.
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Most Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza consecrated as second Archbishop of Udupi Diocese
Udupi: Most Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza was consecrated as the second Archbishop of the Diocese of Udupi at a ceremony held at the Milagres College Grounds of Milagres Cathedral in Kalianpur on Monday.
The rite of consecration was performed by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, President of the FABC and CCBI, as the principal consecrator. Archbishop Dr. Peter Machado of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Udupi, Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, participated as co-consecrators.
The Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, along with more than 30 bishops, around 300 priests, an equal number of nuns, and thousands of devotees from different parts of the country, attended the ceremony.
The official letter of appointment from the Pope was read out during the ceremony. This was followed by the sacred rites of consecration, during which the Archbishop’s head was anointed with holy oil, the Holy Bible was placed on his head, and prayers were offered. He was then presented with the ring of authority, mitre, and pastoral staff, and formally installed, marking his ordination as Archbishop.
Fr. Steven D’Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese of Udupi, read the official letter of the Holy Father. The ceremony also included the exchange of the sign of peace among bishops and representatives.
In his homily, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, said that the blessings of the Father are invaluable. He noted that in today’s society, the presence of a father figure is often lacking in many families and emphasised that bishops serve as representatives of the Most High in the family of God. He said that God has chosen his representative for the Udupi Diocese through Fr. Leslie and stressed that bishops must spread the word of God among devotees with love, adding that preaching the essence of the Gospel is a key responsibility.
