VN participates in 5th India-ASEAN Dialogue

Participants to the event include political and economic leaders, government officials, academics, and opinion-makers from ASEAN member countries and India.

Titled “India-ASEAN: Vision for Partnership and Prosperity”, the forum focused on five topics, namely “India-ASEAN Security Cooperation: Towards Peace and Stability,” “Non-traditional Security Challenges: Food Security, Water Management and Pandemics,” “Future of Global Energy Market: Role of New and Renewable Energy in Sustainable Development,” “Cooperation between CLMV Countries and Northeast India: Opportunities and Challenges,” and “Expanding Network through Connectivity: Land, Sea, and Air.”

This is the first dialogue after the two sides organized a Commemorative Summit last December to celebrate the 20^th founding anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Partner.

Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid stressed that this year’s dialogue reflected the common desire of both India and ASEAN to boost the strategic partnership for peace, progress and prosperity in the region.

ASEAN and India will still be natural partners as they share the common vision for a peaceful and prosperous Asia.

Both sides boast for dynamic economic space, account for one fourth of the global population and have a combined GDP amounting to US$3.8 trillion.

The two-way trade increased 37% between 2011 and 2012 and is expected to soar to over US$100 billion by 2015.

India has actively participated in ASEAN-led forums and supported the central role of ASEAN in the regional emerging architecture./.

By Huong Giang