The decision was made at the Commemorative Summit themed  “ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Shared Prosperity” in New Delhi on December 20 on the 20^th anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.

The plenary session to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, New Delhi, December 20, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Leaders of ASEAN and India shared their positive views of development and achievements of the 20-year ASEAN-India partnership, which have contributed to better understanding and trust between ASEAN members and India as well as to peace, stability and development in the region.

ASEAN leaders highly spoke of effective contributions and cooperation of India, especially in promoting regional linkages and building the ASEAN Community, through various programs to realize the Action Plan 2010-2015 and ASEAN-India cooperation funds.

Indian PM Manmohan Singh emphasized that India placed importance on strengthening and consolidating relations and cooperation with ASEAN in all fields, considering ASEAN one of main pillars in India’s “Towards East” policy.

In 2011, the trade turnover between ASEAN and India was US$74.9 billion, up 43% and surpassing the norm of US$70 billion set for 2012. India is the 6th biggest trade partner of ASEAN. The two sides have just reached an agreement on concluding negotiations for treaties on trade, service and investment in order to form the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area.

The Summit approved the ASEAN-India Vision Statement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, expanding across political, security, economic, socio-cultural development and cooperation.

ASEAN and India were committed to strengthening cooperation to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation, and safety of sea lanes of communication for unfettered movement of trade in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.

The two sides were committed to achieving a target of US$ 100 billion for ASEAN-India trade by 2015, and also expect tariff-free lines to increase beyond the existing level in subsequent years.

Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung gives speech at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, New Delhi, December 20, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Viet Nam confirms its role

Addressing the summit, PM Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized the strategic significance of the ASEAN-India Partnership for peace, stability and development in the region.

He affirmed that Viet Nam will make contributions to the development of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership in the coming time.

The Vietnamese PM suggested ASEAN and India channel resources to the realization of agreements, commitments and cooperation programs, prioritizing the construction of the ASEAN Community, boosting regional linkages and narrowing development gap.

He also underlined the cooperation to deal with regional security challenges, including maritime security and safety.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and General Secretary Prakash Karat of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, New Delhi, December 20, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On the same day, PM Nguyen Tan Dung hosted receptions given to General Secretary Prakash Karat of the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M), General Secretary Sudhakar Reddy of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Mr. Vishvjit Singh, representative of the Indian National Congress (INC) and General Secretary Vijay Goel of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and General Secretary Sudhakar Reddy of the Communist Party of India, New Delhi, December 20, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the meetings, PM Dung highly appreciated contributions of these parties to the development of strategic partnership between Viet Nam and India.

He confirmed that the Communist Party, Government and people of Viet Nam always value assistance and support from India people and political parties to the struggle for national independence in the past and the cause of national development today.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and Mr. Vishvjit Singh, representative of the Indian National Congress, New Delhi, December 20, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Representatives of the parties expressed their hope to maintain and enhance traditional friendship with Viet Nam.

By Xuan Hong