On Friday, 26 January, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opinion editorial had been published in 27 newspapers in 10 languages in 10 of the ASEAN nations.
The article was in-line with his speech on Thursday when addressing the leaders of the ASEAN countries. He stated that India has a shared culture and history with the nations.
The leaders of 10 ASEAN countries were invited to the Republic Day parade as chief guests.
The presence of the ASEAN leaders was unprecedented and reflective of India's stature as a major power in the region, where China has been trying to expand its influence.
On Thursday, the leaders attended the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, marking 25 years of partnership.
Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, Singaporean Premier Lee Hsien Loong and Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah were among the ASEAN leaders who attended the event.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Cambodian Premier Hun Sen also watched the grand parade.
On Thursday, one individual from each of the 10 ASEAN nations was named for the Padma award.
The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing.
The ASEAN region along with India has a combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population, and their combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.
Investment from ASEAN to India has been over $70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 percent of India’s total FDI.
India's investment in ASEAN during the same period has been more than $40 billion.
The parade ceremony commenced at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate after Prime Minister Modi led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath.
An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of India's armed forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
As per tradition, after unfurling the national flag, the parade began and the President took the salute of the marching contingents.
The marching contingents included one carrying flags of the 10 ASEAN countries.
The parade was commanded by Lt General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area.
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