Speaking at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi, the Prime Minister was confident that the ASEAN-India strategic partnership would be a major pillar for the growth of Asia and beyond and would contribute to global peace, security, and development.
The ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, scheduled for 20-21 December 2012,
marks the 20th anniversary of relations between ASEAN and India. The theme of
the summit is ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Shared Prosperity.
At the summit, the Prime Minister said that ASEAN-India connectivity
through land, air, and sea links would be a significant factor leading to
increased trade and investment between the two regions. The Prime Minister
pointed out that the arrangement of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement was an
urgent issue. ASEAN and India have agreed to achieve the bilateral trade target
of 100 billion US dollars by 2015.
Thailand hoped to work closely with India, not only under the framework of
ASEAN-India relations but also in the frameworks of BIMSTEC and Mekong-Ganga
Cooperation. It is interested in developing the Mekong-India Economic Corridor
to construct a sea route linking Chennai Port in India with Dawei deep-sea port
in Myanmar and Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Thailand. The economic corridor
would facilitate the transportation of automotive parts, computers, electronic
components, rubber, and other raw materials related to various industries
between India and the soon-to-be ASEAN Economic Community.
Prime Minister Yingluck stated that connectivity would involve with not
only infrastructure but also people-to-people contact. She believed that
India’s “Look East” policy and ASEAN’s “Look West” policy would bring ASEAN and
India closer together in fighting terrorism and promoting sea safety, disaster
management, food and energy security, and sustainable development. India’s
Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan for Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor
would also link with the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.
India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, which was
upgraded to full dialogue partnership in 1996. Since 2002, India has had annual
summits with ASEAN.
During this trip to India, Prime Minister Yingluck also visited Bodh Gaya,
Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar State. She was of the opinion that Thailand and India
should step up cooperation in cultural tourism.
The Prime Minister also joined the ceremony to close the ASEAN-India Car
Rally in New Delhi. The car rally was part of numerous commemorative activities
implemented by ASEAN and India to mark their 20th anniversary of relations in
2012. It has been one of the key vehicles to promote public awareness and
transport connectivity between ASEAN and India, which would help enhance trade,
investment, tourism, and people-to-people linkages between the two regions in
the long run.
(thailand.prd.go.th)