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Statement by Prime Minister at the 6th
India – ASEAN Summit
(Singapore; November 21, 2007)
Your Excellency Prime Minister Lee
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
I thank you for your warm welcome, the friendly atmosphere and your
generous hospitality. I am very happy to be here in Singapore, a country
that epitomizes the qualities of courage, strength and excellence.
It is always a pleasure to be among friends. India is privileged to be
part of a process that is contributing to ever widening circles of
prosperity. Our relationship with the ASEAN countries is the pillar of our
“Look East” policy. Ever since we became Sectoral Dialogue partners of
ASEAN 15 years ago, we have taken substantial strides in integrating our
economies, societies and institutions. We are determined to take this
process forward because we are convinced that it is a win-win formula for
both of us.
India is now on a new growth trajectory, where sustained economic growth
of 9-10% per year seem possible. Our expanding market, human resources and
strengths in S&T and the knowledge economy are what we contribute to the
process of economic integration.
Since our last Summit we have made concrete progress.
The most striking achievement of our engagement so far is that the target
of bilateral trade of 30 billion US dollars that we had set for ourselves
for the year 2007 has already been achieved.
Exports of ASEAN member countries to India have grown
at a phenomenal rate of over 65% last year. This shows that India is a
willing partner in the integration of our economies, and is committed to
free trade. Our officials have been engaged in active negotiations to
conclude the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. I have no doubt that we all
share a common political will to reach an agreement at the earliest. I
want to assure you that on its part India has shown, and will continue to
show, the necessary flexibility and determination to achieve this
objective. We will work together with you to conclude the negotiations, as
agreed, by March next year.
We have achieved progress in the key area of connectivity. Today, there
are over 215 direct and indirect flights every week between India and
Singapore, 115 flights with Thailand and 50 with Malaysia. But we seek
much more from our Open Skies Policy with ASEAN. We are also keen to join
the Open Skies regime amongst the ASEAN countries, when it is finalized.
I would like to commend our hosts for organising the exhibition “On the
Nalanda Trail: Buddhism in India, China and Southeast Asia” and a
conference on the subject “Early Indian Influences in Southeast Asia”. We
would welcome proposals that revive interest in our ancient civilisational
links and common heritage.
In Cebu, I had proposed the early operationalisation of the India-ASEAN
Science and Technology Fund. I am happy to announce that we have created
this Fund with an initial corpus fund of 1 million US dollars. This Fund
should be used to encourage collaborative R&D and technology development
so that we can harness knowledge for the creation of wealth.
Our exchange programmes for students and diplomats from
ASEAN have received enthusiastic responses. I am happy to announce that we
will make the training courses for ASEAN diplomats a yearly feature. I
would further suggest that we organize seminars for such trainees with
their peer groups from India in ASEAN capitals.
This year we have concluded Memorandums of Understanding for the
establishment of Centres for English Language Training in Cambodia, Lao
PDR and Vietnam. Together with Entrepreneurship Development Centres in
these countries, this initiative will contribute to capacity building and
empowerment of youth in these countries.
As we look ahead, we need to closely monitor the implementation of the
ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity. I seek
your support.
Given the results so far, I propose that we set a bilateral trade target
of 50 billion US dollars by the year 2010.
To facilitate this, we should agree on a process to simplify the visa
regime for businessmen to travel from India to ASEAN and vice-versa. I
propose that our authorities in consultation with industry representatives
formulate simple criteria for issue of visas to bona fide businessmen the
same day.
India-ASEAN cooperation in the important area of health
has focused on the challenge posed by Avian influenza. India will be
hosting an International Conference on the subject in December. I propose
that the India-ASEAN Working Group dealing with health be directed to
prepare a “India-ASEAN Health Care Initiative”. The focus will be on
providing basic drugs at low cost to our public health systems through
steps such as joint production of medical formulations. A second focus
could be to develop a framework for cooperation in traditional medicine
systems, which are popular in all our countries.
Climate change has emerged as a major challenge, especially for developing
countries. We can gain from a knowledge partnership in this area. Our
individual approaches to this global issue must be based on strong
scientific foundations and on our respective local experiences and needs.
In India we are already in the process of identifying a center of
excellence for climate change. I would propose the setting up of an India
– ASEAN Network on Climate Change that would pool and share expertise,
exchange best practices and submit recommendations for common positions
taking into account national priorities.
To give a boost to this cooperation, I propose to set
up an India-ASEAN Green Fund with an initial contribution of US$ 5 million
for pilot projects to promote adaptation and mitigation technologies. Once
the Fund is established I invite other countries to make contributions as
well.
In the final analysis, if the India-ASEAN process is to take root, it must
become a peoples movement. Encouraged by our success with exchange
programmes for students and diplomats, I propose that we have a Special
Programme for Regular Exchanges among our Parliamentarians.
I am happy that our tourists are increasingly looking eastward and more
than 2 million tourists from India are expected to travel to ASEAN holiday
destinations this year. The number of tourist arrivals from ASEAN
countries to India has gone up to 280,000 but it is evident that there is
huge scope for expansion. I would therefore propose that we agree to work
towards a target of one million tourist arrivals from ASEAN to India by
the year 2010.
On earlier occasions, I have shared with you India’s vision of an Asian
economic community consisting of an integrated market and linked by
efficient road, rail, air and shipping services. The creation of this “arc
of advantage” will be possible if we can successfully create a robust
institutional architecture for regional cooperation and action. The
elements I have outlined earlier are the building blocks of this
architecture.
I am extremely optimistic about the future of our
partnership. The multi-sectoral approach towards our cooperation is the
right one. I want to assure you that you will find an enthusiastic partner
in India.
India has a stake in ASEAN’s stability and prosperity just as we believe
ASEAN has a stake in the transformation that India is experiencing.
Thank you.
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