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ASEAN, India Celebrate 25 Years of Relations

ASEAN, India Celebrate 25 Years of Relations
The Indian Awaaz | ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018

India rolled out the red carpet for the 10  leaders on 25-26 January, as they gathered in New Delhi to mark 25 years of ASEAN-India relations.

At a commemorative summit, the leaders renewed their commitment to enhance the multifaceted ties between the South-east Asian grouping and its neighbouring South Asian giant.

The summit was co-chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, which chairs ASEAN this year, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two expressed hopes for ASEAN and India to draw closer to each other. They also identified areas of mutual concern.

India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. Image: ASEAN
ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit. Image: ASEAN

 

"We believe that India makes a major contribution to regional affairs, helping to keep the regional architecture open, balanced and inclusive,” PM Lee said as quoted by The Straits Times.

As reported by The Economic Times, the leaders of India and southeast Asia agreed on Thursday to boost their maritime ties at a summit in New Delhi and enhance air-links for better connectivity within the region. 

India and ASEAN countries will also strive to establish closer air links to promote tourism, trade, and enhance greater connectivity, the declaration added. 

Army personnel carrying national flags of Asean countries during a dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade, New Delhi, India, January 23, 2018. Image: Mohd Zakir/HT
Army personnel carrying national flags of Asean countries during a dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade, New Delhi, India, January 23, 2018. Image: Mohd Zakir/HT

 

Modi has invited the leaders of all 10 ASEAN nations to join him for India's Republic Day celebrations on Friday in the biggest ever gathering of foreign leaders at the parade, which showcases the country's military might and cultural diversity.

The leaders attending the summit in New Delhi include Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines.

ASEAN leaders arrive in India ahead of Republic Day. Image: Mumbai Mirror
ASEAN leaders arrive in India ahead of Republic Day. Image: Mumbai Mirror

 

Channel News Asia reported New Delhi's push to expand economic ties with southeast Asia still trail those of China, whose trade with ASEAN was more than six times greater than India's in 2016-17 at US$470 million.

Modi said he would work towards strengthening relations with ASEAN countries, saying trade had already grown "25 times in 25 years".

"Investments are robust and growing. We will further enhance trade ties and work towards greater interaction among our business communities," Modi said.

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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