New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness that the 'Ramayana Festival' with participation of all 10 ASEAN countries would get underway here from Saturday.
"Delighted to know that the Ramayana Festival, with participation of all ten ASEAN countries, begins in Delhi today. This celebrates India's deep civilisational and historical relations with the ASEAN region," Mr Modi tweeted.
A five-day long Ramayana Festival gets underway here to enable people in various parts of the country including Delhi to enjoy the diverse Ramayana performances from different ASEAN countries.
"This is being done as part of 25 years of Dialogue Partnership between India and ASEAN member nations," Chairman of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has said.
The Ramayana Festival is designed to underline the common cultural heritage and our friendship with all the ASEAN countries. Ramayana is one such common element and ICCR wishes to showcase Ramayana from ASEAN countries on this occasion.
The celebrations of 25 years of association between India and ASEAN as a group would culminate in a Commemorative Summit on the theme 'Shared Values, Common Destiny' on January 25 here.
All ten Heads of Governments (of ASEAN member nations) will be present at the Republic Day celebrations as 'guests of honour'.
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