ASEAN-India partnership in economic growth meeting expectations despite downturn: Krishna

Phnom Penh, July 11 (ANI): Asserting that two-way trade between ASEAN and India in 2011-12 touched reached 80 billion US Dollars, External Affairs S.M. Krishna on Wednesday said the story of economic growth in our partnership is meeting expectations despite the global economic downturn.

"We believe that the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India Services and Investment Agreements would give a strong fillip to our economic engagement. We welcome the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership initiative to accelerate regional economic integration," said Krishna in his statement at the 10th ASEAN-India ministerial meeting.

"We are awaiting the recommendations of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group, which would be a valuable input for drafting the Vision Statement of the Special ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit. The ASEAN-India SOM meeting in May this year in Phnom Penh already started discussions on the elevation of the ASEAN-India partnership to a Strategic-level. I take back your views on ways to elevate the partnership," he added.

Stating that India remains committed to its partnership with ASEAN, Krishna said: " We stand convinced of this partnership's unique utility to the goal of the ASEAN Community by 2015, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), the Master Plan on ASEAN Plus Connectivity (MPAC), the Declaration for a Drug Free ASEAN by 2015 and to the collective capacity building in our region."

Krishna also called for developing the historical linkages between India and the ASEAN countries.

"The civilizational strengths and historical linkages between India and ASEAN countries need to be extended to further to improve road, sea, rail, digital and people-to-people connectivity in present times. This is an imperative if we are to reinforce the economic foundations in our region for collective progress and prosperity," he said.

Krishna said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced two projects in Myanmar during his visit in May this year, which would help establish connectivity from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand.

"I understand ASEAN and Indian officials discussed the connectivity agenda further at the ASEAN Land Transport Working Group Meeting last week, which was aimed at establishing connectivity from India to Vietnam via Myanmar and Laos. Strengthening private sector participation and cross-country PPP linkages would help further reinforce our collaboration on 'connectivity'," he added. (ANI)