Singapore, June 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to China during Shangri LA dialogue.  While delivering a keynote address at Shangri LA dialogue in Singapore, the PM said Asia and the world would have a better future when India and China work together with trust and confidence. PM Modi also praised China for co-operating with India in dealing with border issues. Modi said that India and China have displayed maturity and wisdom in managing issues and ensuring a peaceful border.

Modi also said that an Asia of "rivalries" would hold the region back while an Asia of cooperation would shape the century. "It is a world that summons us to rise above divisions and competition to work together," he said. The Prime Minister also encouraged an idea of free and open access to all to the Indo-Pacific region. Reiterating his thought, the PM said, "India stands for a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific region, which embraces us all in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity.” These statements of the Prime Minister came just weeks after an informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping Chinese city of Wuhan in April last week. The main aim of the summit was to improve relations between both the countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a five-day visit to South East Asian countries. Before Singapore, Modi visited Malaysia and Indonesia. This visit is part of the Indian government’s ‘Act East Policy’. On the second of his Singapore visit, Modi delivered a keynote address at Shangri LA dialogue. He was the first Indian prime minister to address the event. Earlier on Friday, PM Modi spoke at a joint press conference with his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2018 10:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).