Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM’s statement prior to his departure for Cambodia

I am proceeding today on a visit to Cambodia for the 10th India-ASEAN Summit and the 7th East Asian Summit.

Our partnership with ASEAN is an important component of our “Look East” policy. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our dialogue partnership and 10th anniversary of Summit-level engagement with ASEAN. We are celebrating this milestone by hosting a special Commemorative Summit in New Delhi in December.

Over the past decade, our engagement with ASEAN has become strong, comprehensive and multi-faceted. The Summit in Phnom Penh will give us an opportunity to preview and prepare an ambitious agenda for the Summit next month to take the India-ASEAN relationship to a new level. In this context, my ASEAN colleagues and I will also have the opportunity to review in Phnom Penh the recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group of India and ASEAN.

East Asia Summit is the foremost forum for promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. This year, we are preparing to launch the negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership among ASEAN and its FTA Partners, including India. This is a giant step towards creation of an economic community in the region. This forum also serves as a useful platform for enhancing cooperation in the region and discussing regional security issues.

On the margins of East Asia Summit, I will have the opportunity to meet other world leaders.