Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung (Source:VNA) In his speech delivered at the“Act East” dialogue in New Delhi on April 5, Dung suggested the two sides enhancephysical, digital and cultural connectivity and people-to-people exchange inorder to strengthen the India-ASEAN strategic partnership as well as acceleratethe deployment of the “Act East” policy, in which ASEAN is identified as anucleus and a centre of “Indian Dream” in an Asian century.
According to the diplomat, thetwo sides need to facilitate projects and seek public-private partnership asthe India-Mekong Economic Corridor, the India-Myanmar-Laos-Vietnam-Cambodiaexpressway, the expanded India-Myanmar -Thailand expressway will expand transportconnectivity and contribute to lifting two-way trade and investment.
On cultural connectivity,especially among young people, Dung said ASEAN and India should facilitate theexchange of businesspeople, researchers and journalists to tap the potential ofthe region’s workforce of 1.8 billion people.
Via the Fund for Scientific andTechnological Development and Innovation Forum, India could increase itsassistance to ASEAN in the fields of science-technology, agriculture andEnglish training, he suggested.
In its capacity as a coordinatorof India-ASEAN relations, Vietnam pledged to work with ASEAN and India tocelebrate the 25th founding anniversary of the bilateral strategicpartnership and elevate the relationship to new heights, thus making importantcontributions to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, he said.
For his part, Secretary (East) ofthe Indian Foreign Ministry Preeti Saran highlighted India’s consistent policyof strengthening cooperation with ASEAN in terms of connectivity, trade, politicaldialogue and security, adding that the Indian government speeds up a roadmapfor the implementation of the “Act East” policy until 2025 and beyond.
She expressed hope that the eventwould provide a platform for senior officials, policymakers, and researchers ofIndia and ASEAN member countries to discuss measures for the building of aroadmap to promote the bilateral strategic partnership.
At the dialogue, participantsattended three sessions focusing discussions on improving connectivity and India-ASEAN trade relations, Asia’s multilateralism and new defence-security structure,and Agenda 2025: Transforming ASEAN-India relations.-VNA
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