I am leaving for Jakarta, Indonesia today to participate in the Asian-African Summit from 22-23rd April and in the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference (1955) to be held in Bandung on April 24. This is an event of great significance as India was one of the original sponsors of the 1955 Bandung Conference and Pandit Nehru personally played a leading role in its organization and success. On this occasion, we recall his magnificent contribution to the sense of solidarity that imbued Asia and Africa following Bandung. The leaders of 106 Asian and African countries are expected to participate in the Asian-African Summit which is intended to reinvigorate the Spirit of Bandung as enshrined in the Final Communiqué of the Asian-African Conference held there in 1955.

At this meeting, we would sign a Declaration on a New Asian African Strategic Partnership renewing and reaffirming our commitment to the values enshrined in the original Bandung Conference. We see the New Asian African Strategic Partnership as a forward-looking framework intended to build a bridge of understanding and support between Asia and Africa covering three broad areas of partnership - political solidarity, economic cooperation and socio-cultural relations. The New Asian African Strategic Partnership shall emphasise the need to promote practical cooperation between these two continents in areas across the spectrum such as trade, industry, investment, finance, tourism, information and communication technology, energy, health, transportation, agriculture, water resources and fisheries. During my stay in Jakarta, I also expect to renew bilateral contacts.

I hope to have meetings with several leaders who will be in Jakarta including our host, the President of Indonesia, and leaders from China, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Singapore.