New Delhi: Food security, energy security, and health security will be the key focus points in the discussions for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during his India visit. President Subianto is the chief guest at India&rsquo;s Republic Day parade, an honour India extends to countries with which it has a close relationship. Diplomatic sources pointed out that Indonesia needs 160,000 doctors and nurses, and &ldquo;India has been the champion of the health sector&rdquo;. This matter also came up during PM Modi and President Subianto&rsquo;s meeting in November 2024.
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This is the fourth time an Indonesian President will be the chief guest at India&rsquo;s Republic Day after 2018, 2011, and 1950. An Indonesian military contingent will also march on the Kartavya Path in the Republic Day parade.&nbsp; Moreover, the 3rd CEO Forum will be held on the sidelines. Several MoUs are likely to be signed and announcements made during the state visit of the Indonesian President.
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Asked if the discussions will include any conversation on the Brahmos deal, diplomatic sources pointed out that conversation has continued and a key &ldquo;priority&rdquo; from the Indonesian side has been on the transfer of technology in such defence conversations. The deal, which has been in the works for some time, came up for conversation during Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi&rsquo;s visit to Indonesia last month.&nbsp;
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In a post, Indonesia&rsquo;s defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said, &ldquo;Advanced technology collaboration, such as BrahMos, was also highlighted, presenting opportunities for Indonesia to learn and grow.&rdquo;
On plans for Andaman and Aceh connectivity, diplomatic sources pointed out that due to political developments in Aceh, a delay is seen, but one of the key features of the plan is direct air connectivity and port development. Aceh has enjoyed special autonomy since the 2005 peace agreement. Focus will also be on direct flight connectivity between Delhi and Jakarta, even though direct flights between Delhi and Mumbai to Bali, a key tourist destination in Indonesia, are already operating.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-gaza-war-truce-in-place-air-india-to-start-tel-aviv-delhi-flights-from-march-2-8647989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gaza war truce in place, Air India to start Tel Aviv-Delhi flights from March 2</a>

World | India News: This is the fourth time an Indonesian President will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day after 2018, 2011, and 1950. An Indonesian military contingent will also march on the Kartavya Path in the Republic Day parade.

New Delhi: Food security, energy security, and health security will be the key focus points in the discussions for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during his India visit. President Subianto is the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade, an honour India extends to countries with which it has a close relationship. Diplomatic sources pointed out that Indonesia needs 160,000 doctors and nurses, and “India has been the champion of the health sector”. This matter also came up during PM Modi and President Subianto’s meeting in November 2024. Also read: Pakistani lawmakers demand 'apology' from Elon Musk before Starlink licence approval: Report This is the fourth time an Indonesian President will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day after 2018, 2011, and 1950. An Indonesian military contingent will also march on the Kartavya Path in the Republic Day parade. Moreover, the 3rd CEO Forum will be held on the sidelines. Several MoUs are likely to be signed and announcements made during the state visit of the Indonesian President. Also read: 'Great friend of Israel': Netanyahu defends Elon Musk after his 'Nazi' salute Asked if the discussions will include any conversation on the Brahmos deal, diplomatic sources pointed out that conversation has continued and a key “priority” from the Indonesian side has been on the transfer of technology in such defence conversations. The deal, which has been in the works for some time, came up for conversation during Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi’s visit to Indonesia last month. Also read: Ukraine accuses Russian military of killing six captured troops In a post, Indonesia’s defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said, “Advanced technology collaboration, such as BrahMos, was also highlighted, presenting opportunities for Indonesia to learn and grow.” On plans for Andaman and Aceh connectivity, diplomatic sources pointed out that due to political developments in Aceh, a delay is seen, but one of the key features of the plan is direct air connectivity and port development. Aceh has enjoyed special autonomy since the 2005 peace agreement. Focus will also be on direct flight connectivity between Delhi and Jakarta, even though direct flights between Delhi and Mumbai to Bali, a key tourist destination in Indonesia, are already operating. Also read: Gaza war truce in place, Air India to start Tel Aviv-Delhi flights from March 2

Food, energy and health security to be key focus areas during Indonesian President’s India visit

For&nbsp;the second year year in a row, India's Republic Day will have no foreign chief guest amid the COVID-19&nbsp;crisis, especially with the increase in the number of Omicron variant cases.

Five&nbsp;central Asian leaders were invited as the chief guest at the Republic day parade on January 26 earlier, though no public announcements were made by either side.

According to the Indian health ministry, 2,38,018 new COVID-19&nbsp;cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. The ministry in its daily morning press statement on Tuesday said 8,891 Omicron cases have been detected so far, which is an increase of 8.31 per cent since&nbsp;Monday.

Last year, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest but he could not take part amid the COVID-19&nbsp;crisis.&nbsp;In the past, India saw no Republic Day guests in 1952, 1953 and 1966.

India's former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri had died on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent and the new PM Indira Gandhi was sworn in on January 24, 1966, just 2 days before the Republic day.&nbsp;

As per the diplomatic calender, January was expected to be a heavy month with the visit of PM Modi to UAE, defence minister Rajnath Singh to Vietnam and mega "Vibrant Gujarat" investors meet but visits were postponed or cancelled amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The focus now is on more virtual meetings and telephonic conversations.&nbsp;EAM Jaishankar had held telephonic talks with over 15 of his counterparts since the new year dawned.

Next week will see a virtual summit involving PM Modi and all the five&nbsp;Central Asian leaders to celebrate&nbsp;the 30 years of establishment of ties. The dates have been proposed for the summit and will take place on January 26. According&nbsp;to multiple sources,&nbsp;the central Asian capitals confirmed that their leadership will be taking part in a virtual summit hosted by New Delhi next week.&nbsp;

The India Central Asia summit takes place&nbsp;even as engagement between the two&nbsp;sides has increased over the past few years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited all the central Asian countries in 2015, which was the first of its kind tour by any Indian Prime minister.&nbsp;

December saw the third&nbsp;India-Central Asia meeting in Delhi where all the five&nbsp;Central Asian foreign ministers participated.

During the&nbsp;meet, external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar emphasised on 4 Cs - commerce, capacity enhancement, connectivity and contacts in the ties&nbsp;pointing to&nbsp;"good history of cooperation".&nbsp;

Central Asian FMs participated in Delhi meet&nbsp;giving a miss to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers meet being hosted in Pakistan in what was seen as a snub to Islamabad.

EAM Jaishankar had last year visited two&nbsp;Central Asian countries - Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

India has in the past announced a $ 1 billion line of credit for priority development projects in fields such as connectivity, energy, IT, healthcare, education, agriculture, etc for Central Asia. It has also pitched for Chabahar port in Iran for an easy route for connectivity that&nbsp;has garnered support among those countries.

For the second year year in a row, India's Republic Day will have no foreign chief guest amid the COVID-19 crisis, especially with the increase in the number of Omicron variant cases.

For the second year year in a row, India's Republic Day will have no foreign chief guest amid the COVID-19 crisis, especially with the increase in the number of Omicron variant cases. Five central Asian leaders were invited as the chief guest at the Republic day parade on January 26 earlier, though no public announcements were made by either side. According to the Indian health ministry, 2,38,018 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. The ministry in its daily morning press statement on Tuesday said 8,891 Omicron cases have been detected so far, which is an increase of 8.31 per cent since Monday. Last year, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest but he could not take part amid the COVID-19 crisis. In the past, India saw no Republic Day guests in 1952, 1953 and 1966. India's former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri had died on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent and the new PM Indira Gandhi was sworn in on January 24, 1966, just 2 days before the Republic day. As per the diplomatic calender, January was expected to be a heavy month with the visit of PM Modi to UAE, defence minister Rajnath Singh to Vietnam and mega "Vibrant Gujarat" investors meet but visits were postponed or cancelled amid the COVID-19 crisis. The focus now is on more virtual meetings and telephonic conversations. EAM Jaishankar had held telephonic talks with over 15 of his counterparts since the new year dawned. Next week will see a virtual summit involving PM Modi and all the five Central Asian leaders to celebrate the 30 years of establishment of ties. The dates have been proposed for the summit and will take place on January 26. According to multiple sources, the central Asian capitals confirmed that their leadership will be taking part in a virtual summit hosted by New Delhi next week. The India Central Asia summit takes place even as engagement between the two sides has increased over the past few years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited all the central Asian countries in 2015, which was the first of its kind tour by any Indian Prime minister. December saw the third India-Central Asia meeting in Delhi where all the five Central Asian foreign ministers participated. During the meet, external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar emphasised on 4 Cs - commerce, capacity enhancement, connectivity and contacts in the ties pointing to "good history of cooperation". Central Asian FMs participated in Delhi meet giving a miss to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers meet being hosted in Pakistan in what was seen as a snub to Islamabad. EAM Jaishankar had last year visited two Central Asian countries - Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. India has in the past announced a $ 1 billion line of credit for priority development projects in fields such as connectivity, energy, IT, healthcare, education, agriculture, etc for Central Asia. It has also pitched for Chabahar port in Iran for an easy route for connectivity that has garnered support among those countries.

For second year in row, no chief guest on Republic Day due to COVID-19 crisis

British leaders who were invited to India's Republic Day

Brazil's President to be the Guest of Honor on India's 71st Republic Day

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in India on Friday for his two-day visit to the country.

Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations to be held in Delhi tomorrow.

He is accompanied by the First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe and a high-level delegation including nine ministers, senior officials of his Government and a 50-member business delegation.&nbsp;

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President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Delhi. He will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/TnjxJi3mL5">pic.twitter.com/TnjxJi3mL5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1088660218836336640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa accorded 'guard of honour' at Rashtrapati Bhavan in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/IgIfSf2dBQ">pic.twitter.com/IgIfSf2dBQ</a>
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PM Modi had personally handed over the invite to Ramaphosa when he met him in December 2018 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina.

This is the second time a South African president will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. He was preceded in 1995 by Nelson Mandela.

(With inputs from agencies)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in India on Friday for his two-day visit to the country. Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations to be held in Delhi tomorrow.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in India on Friday for his two-day visit to the country. Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations to be held in Delhi tomorrow. He is accompanied by the First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe and a high-level delegation including nine ministers, senior officials of his Government and a 50-member business delegation. President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Delhi. He will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/TnjxJi3mL5 — ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019 × President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa accorded 'guard of honour' at Rashtrapati Bhavan in #Delhi pic.twitter.com/IgIfSf2dBQ — ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019 × PM Modi had personally handed over the invite to Ramaphosa when he met him in December 2018 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. This is the second time a South African president will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. He was preceded in 1995 by Nelson Mandela. (With inputs from agencies)

Republic Day chief guest, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in India

South African prez Ramaphosa to be chief guest at Indian R-Day

26 of January is a special day for India as it is the birthday of our Constitution and the day is celebrated as Republic day. The Republic Day parade at the capital is of special importance which showcases the Indian military&#39;s might and culture. As history shows, there is the presence of, at least, one foreign dignitary as the chief guest in that day&#39;s function.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There is a difference between a foreign dignitary visiting India on any other day of the year and a foreign dignitary&#39;s presence on the Republic day as the chief guest. When a foreign dignitary is in India on this day, it is, possibly, because he needs to be convinced that India is a place of absolute trust and a fertile land for investment. Republic day is not only day for our democratic pride but also a milestone in handling of our foriegn affairs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the 1950s, the Republic Day chief guest usually came from the NAM group and other Asian countries of Nepal and Bhutan. The reason for calling them was to give them a glimpse of what a newly independent India had been fast achieving. When tensions between India and the communists China erupted, in the 1959 Republic day function,&nbsp; General Ye Jainying found his place on the chief guest chair. It is said that in the 1960s when the Congress government was tilting towards the Soviet Bloc to counter excessive American presence in Pakistan, it became necessary to show a glimpse of India to Russia and its allies. Thus, the 1960s saw the USSR-allies in the Republic day chief guest&#39;s chair.

&nbsp;

The 1970s and 1980s was a period when India was starting to play a big game in the world policy rather than just being a regional player. To achieve this, engagement with other nations was of paramount importance. To start an engagement, invitation as Republic Day chief guest would be the best way. Thus, those two decades saw dignitaries from Latin American, African nations, European nations in much frequency.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Post-1991, was the period marked by liberal policies framed by PV Narshimha Rao government. Therefore, the foreign policy of India was rewritten, wherein India eyed financial ties along with strategic ties. This affected the choice of the chief guest in the Republic day function of those years.

&nbsp;

Post-2000, the Republic day chief guest indicated the geopolitical needs of India. The increase in demand for petroleum made Iranian President Mohammed Khatani, Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Russian President Vladimir Putin the chief guest of the Republic Day in the years&nbsp; 2003, 2006 and 2007 respectively.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Uranium rich-Kazakhstan was the chief guest in 2009, the year marked by nuclear deal program finalised by the then PM of India Dr. Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The foriegn policy of &#39;Look East&#39; initiative was necessitated due to increase in Chinese might in ASEAN and other Asian countries. To take those countries along it was necessary to engage with them in a special way. So during the Republic Days of 2010 - 2014, we had dignitaries from South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan and Japan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

After Narendra Modi came to power this ceremonial-cum-diplomatic day was converted to a diplomatic-cum-ceremonial function. PM Modi took personal charge of the Republic Day.

&nbsp;

The Republic Day of&nbsp; 2015 was more Obama day than Republic day. To have Obama on the table was necessary for the Modi government to fulfill the initiatives of Make in India and FDI inflows. Modi had to prove that US needs India and India needs US and the best day he got was to display that sentiment on the Republic day. From that visit US-India ties have strengthened considerably.

&nbsp;

To raise India from the rung of a developing nation to that of a developed nation, as Modi has promised, engagement with European Union was very vital. French President Francois Hollande was seen on the Republic Day chief guest chair in the year 2016. The purpose of calling him was, first, to give impetus to the Rafle Fighter aircraft deal which was lagging for years. Second, to deepen ties with an EU nation for boosting FDI and the third purpose would be to discuss Paris Climate accord.&nbsp;

The 2017 invitee Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was seen as a complete reset of India&#39;s relationship with the Gulf.&nbsp;

2018 is a bit special for the Republic Day diplomacy as there is an invitation not to one but 10 leaders of ASEAN countries. PM Modi has changed the name from look east policy to act east policy. Though ASEAN is one of the strongest multi-nation group, the Chinese and American aggression may hamper the geo-politics of the region. The table below is a reality check for PM Modi&#39;s success of act east policy:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trade figures in Million dollars

&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Country
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			2013 - 2014
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			2016 - 2017
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Cambodia
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			124.18
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			153.13
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Brunei
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			1302.44
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			504.6
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Thailand
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			8690
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			7720
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Myanmar
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			NA
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			2
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Malasiya
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			13400
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			10500
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Indonesia
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			13530*
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			15310
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Laos
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			NA
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			NA
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Phillipines
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			882.69
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			1390.21
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Singapore
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			19,272
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			11,421.9
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			Vietnam
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			8000
			</td>
			<td style="width:144px;">
			7800*
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

&nbsp;

*means average figure

Except for the Philippines and Cambodia, there has been a significant reduction in bilateral trade with other nations. This reality check must be the reason that PM Modi extended invitations to all the ASEAN leaders and bring his ACT EAST policy into reality.

&nbsp;

PM Modi wants India to be a Vishwa Guru. And for that, we need all possible support in the world that we can have.

&nbsp;

Republic day is a day for Indian diplomacy no doubt, and every prime minister should take the primary responsibility to imbibe the importance of this day to his citizens.

&nbsp;

Happy Republic Day!&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There is a difference between a foreign dignitary visiting India on any other day of the year and a foreign dignitary's presence on the Republic day as the chief guest.

26 of January is a special day for India as it is the birthday of our Constitution and the day is celebrated as Republic day. The Republic Day parade at the capital is of special importance which showcases the Indian military's might and culture. As history shows, there is the presence of, at least, one foreign dignitary as the chief guest in that day's function. There is a difference between a foreign dignitary visiting India on any other day of the year and a foreign dignitary's presence on the Republic day as the chief guest. When a foreign dignitary is in India on this day, it is, possibly, because he needs to be convinced that India is a place of absolute trust and a fertile land for investment. Republic day is not only day for our democratic pride but also a milestone in handling of our foriegn affairs. In the 1950s, the Republic Day chief guest usually came from the NAM group and other Asian countries of Nepal and Bhutan. The reason for calling them was to give them a glimpse of what a newly independent India had been fast achieving. When tensions between India and the communists China erupted, in the 1959 Republic day function, General Ye Jainying found his place on the chief guest chair. It is said that in the 1960s when the Congress government was tilting towards the Soviet Bloc to counter excessive American presence in Pakistan, it became necessary to show a glimpse of India to Russia and its allies. Thus, the 1960s saw the USSR-allies in the Republic day chief guest's chair. The 1970s and 1980s was a period when India was starting to play a big game in the world policy rather than just being a regional player. To achieve this, engagement with other nations was of paramount importance. To start an engagement, invitation as Republic Day chief guest would be the best way. Thus, those two decades saw dignitaries from Latin American, African nations, European nations in much frequency. Post-1991, was the period marked by liberal policies framed by PV Narshimha Rao government. Therefore, the foreign policy of India was rewritten, wherein India eyed financial ties along with strategic ties. This affected the choice of the chief guest in the Republic day function of those years. Post-2000, the Republic day chief guest indicated the geopolitical needs of India. The increase in demand for petroleum made Iranian President Mohammed Khatani, Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Russian President Vladimir Putin the chief guest of the Republic Day in the years 2003, 2006 and 2007 respectively. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Uranium rich-Kazakhstan was the chief guest in 2009, the year marked by nuclear deal program finalised by the then PM of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. The foriegn policy of 'Look East' initiative was necessitated due to increase in Chinese might in ASEAN and other Asian countries. To take those countries along it was necessary to engage with them in a special way. So during the Republic Days of 2010 - 2014, we had dignitaries from South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan and Japan. After Narendra Modi came to power this ceremonial-cum-diplomatic day was converted to a diplomatic-cum-ceremonial function. PM Modi took personal charge of the Republic Day. The Republic Day of 2015 was more Obama day than Republic day. To have Obama on the table was necessary for the Modi government to fulfill the initiatives of Make in India and FDI inflows. Modi had to prove that US needs India and India needs US and the best day he got was to display that sentiment on the Republic day. From that visit US-India ties have strengthened considerably. To raise India from the rung of a developing nation to that of a developed nation, as Modi has promised, engagement with European Union was very vital. French President Francois Hollande was seen on the Republic Day chief guest chair in the year 2016. The purpose of calling him was, first, to give impetus to the Rafle Fighter aircraft deal which was lagging for years. Second, to deepen ties with an EU nation for boosting FDI and the third purpose would be to discuss Paris Climate accord. The 2017 invitee Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was seen as a complete reset of India's relationship with the Gulf. 2018 is a bit special for the Republic Day diplomacy as there is an invitation not to one but 10 leaders of ASEAN countries. PM Modi has changed the name from look east policy to act east policy. Though ASEAN is one of the strongest multi-nation group, the Chinese and American aggression may hamper the geo-politics of the region. The table below is a reality check for PM Modi's success of act east policy: Trade figures in Million dollars Country 2013 - 2014 2016 - 2017 Cambodia 124.18 153.13 Brunei 1302.44 504.6 Thailand 8690 7720 Myanmar NA 2 Malasiya 13400 10500 Indonesia 13530* 15310 Laos NA NA Phillipines 882.69 1390.21 Singapore 19,272 11,421.9 Vietnam 8000 7800* *means average figure Except for the Philippines and Cambodia, there has been a significant reduction in bilateral trade with other nations. This reality check must be the reason that PM Modi extended invitations to all the ASEAN leaders and bring his ACT EAST policy into reality. PM Modi wants India to be a Vishwa Guru. And for that, we need all possible support in the world that we can have. Republic day is a day for Indian diplomacy no doubt, and every prime minister should take the primary responsibility to imbibe the importance of this day to his citizens. Happy Republic Day! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Who gets invite to be chief guest on India's Republic Day

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