PM in Cambodia to attend ASEAN, East Asia Summits

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday reached Cambodia to attend the ASEAN and East Asia Summits which will provide an opportunity for India to enhance its economic cooperation against the backdrop of crisis in the western world.

Singh is in Phnom Penh for three days during which he is also expected to have a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and some other world leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN and EAS Summits.

Before his arrival in Phnom Penh, Singh said in a statement that India's partnership with 10-nation ASEAN is an important component of the 'Look East Policy'.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of our dialogue partnership and 10th anniversary of Summit-level engagement with ASEAN," he said, adding India is celebrating this milestone by hosting a special commemorative summit in New Delhi next month.

PM arrives in Cambodia to attend ASEAN, East Asia Summits:

Noting that India's engagement with ASEAN has become strong, comprehensive and multi-faceted over the last decade, Singh said, "The Summit in Phnom Penh will give us an opportunity to preview and prepare an ambitious agenda for the Summit next month to take the India-ASEAN relationship to a new level."

About the 18-nation EAS, he described it as the "foremost forum for promoting peace, stability and prosperity" in the Asia-Pacific region.

"This year, we are preparing to launch the negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership among ASEAN and its FTA partners, including India. This is a giant step towards creation of an economic community in the region," he said.

This forum, Singh said, also serves as a useful platform for enhancing cooperation in the region and discussing regional security issues.

PM  to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh  is expected to have bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the East Asia summit.and some other world leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN and EAS Summits.

The Prime Minister said over the past decade India's partnership with the ASEAN has become "strong, comprehensive and multi-faceted".

"The summit in Phnom Penh will give us an opportunity to preview and prepare an ambitious agenda for the summit next month and to take India-ASEAN relationship to a new level."

India is hosting the Commemorative Summit which has the theme 'ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Shared Prosperity' in New Delhi Dec 20-21, 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary of this relationship and the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-India Summit-level partnership

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of our dialogue partnership and 10th anniversary of Summit-level engagement with ASEAN," he said, adding India is celebrating this milestone by hosting a special commemorative summit in New Delhi next month.
 

About the 18-nation EAS, he described it as the "foremost forum for promoting peace, stability and prosperity" in the Asia Pacific region. "This year, we are preparing to launch the negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership among ASEAN and its FTA partners, including India. This is a giant step towards creation of an economic community in the region," he said.

This forum, Singh said, also serves as a useful platform  for enhancing cooperation in the region and discussing regional security issues.

The Prime Minister is also expected to update the ASEAN leaders on the progress made on revival of the centre of learning at Nalanda, Bihar.

LOOK EAST POLICY

During the last India-ASEAN Summit held in Bali in Indonesia, Singh had cited the global economic downturn to push for conclusion of a "commercially-meaningful" Services and Investment pact by March this year to create a positive atmosphere for implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

He had also highlighted the need for greater connectivity and cooperation on security issues, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, training, exercises and disaster management.

Addressing the Summit, Singh had described India's partnership with ASEAN as "one of the cornerstones" of foreign policy and the foundation of our 'Look East' Policy.

India-ASEAN trade has been increasing at rapid pace over last few years and has already crossed the USD 70 billion target set for 2012. It currently stands at USD 79 billion.