Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Statement by PM before departure to Vientiane for the 3rd India-ASEAN Summit

The following is the text of the statement by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh before his departure to Vientiane for the 3rd India-Asean Summit, here today:

“I am leaving for Vientiane, Laos today to participate in the 3rd India-ASEAN Summit that will be held on November 29-30. India attaches high priority to strengthening and expanding the scope of our mutually beneficial relations with our neighbours to the East with whom we have profound civilisational ties. These have translated into a long history of peaceful interaction, friendship, cultural bonds and people-to-people exchanges.

The India-ASEAN partnership is steadily expanding and deepening. I look forward to meeting and exchanging views with my counterparts in the ASEAN countries on both regional and international political and economic issues, and on taking forward our partnership in diverse areas. We expect to conclude a long-term partnership document between India and ASEAN during this Summit. This document is an outcome of discussions between the Governments. It is significant that other stakeholders, outside governments, have also participated in the process of developing this partnership document and their views too are reflected in this. This inclusive approach should give added momentum to this partnership between India and ASEAN.

As you are aware, the 1st India-ASEAN Car Rally was flagged off by me in Guwahati on November 22. The leaders of ASEAN and I will be flagging off the Car Rally on its next leg at Vientiane. This will focus much-needed attention of people in both India and in the ASEAN countries on the imperative need to develop better road connectivity between India and our ASEAN neighbours, on upgradation of infrastructure, and in promoting tourism, trade and economic relations as well as people-to-people contacts between us.

During my stay in Vientiane, I will also get an opportunity to interact with leaders of China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand who will also be in Laos at that time. I expect to have bilateral meetings with several leaders who will be in Vientiane.