The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that the enhancing of connectivity within the Asian neighbourhood is one of India's strategic priorities.
"We see ASEAN as our bridge to the wider Asia-Pacific region. Enhancing connectivity in all dimensions - physical, institutional and people-to-people- with our Asian neighbourhood is one of our strategic priorities. This enhanced connectivity will undoubtedly bring multifarious benefits to all countries of the region. It holds, in particular, immense potential to bring about a significant positive developmental impact on our North-Eastern region," MEA Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa told the media, ahead of the seventh edition of the Delhi Dialogue 'ASEAN-India: Shaping the post 2015 Agenda'.
Wadhwa also highlighted the focus of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government towards South East Asia.
"Since taking over by the government in last May, there is an increased focus on India's eastern neighbourhood and beyond. The government has moved with a great sense of priority and speed to transform India's 'Look East Policy' into an 'Act East Policy' and ASEAN-India relationship is the foundation of India's Act East Policy," he said.
"Ever since India became a Sectoral Partner of the ASEAN in 1992, the potential and scope of the India-ASEAN partnership has grown commensurate with the increase in our collective capacities and our growing economic integration. Also, the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) is an important pillar of our 'Act East Policy'," he added.
Speaking of some of the projects underway with ASEAN nations, Wadhwa highlighted connectivity as an important mission.
"We are implementing the Trilateral Highway project which proposes to provide seamless connectivity from Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. Likewise, work is in progress on the Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project which will provide a road and riverine link between Myanmar and Mizoram as well as connect Indian ports to Sittwe port in Myanmar. There are other connectivity projects such as the Rhi-Tiddim road and Imphal-Mandalay bus service. We are also endeavouring to increase maritime and air connectivity between ASEAN and India so as to transform the corridors of connectivity into corridors of economic cooperation," he said.
"We have established three funds to support collaborative activities with the ASEAN: the ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund (AICF), the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Fund, and the ASEAN-India Green Fund under which various projects are under implementation. One of the most important projects is ISRO's Space project for establishment of Tracking and Data Reception Station and Data Processing Facility at Ho Chi Minh City and up-gradation of Tracking Telemetry and Command (TTC) Centre at Biak, Indonesia. The project also envisages training of ASEAN Personnel in Space Science and Technology at the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP)," he added.
As far as trade is concerned, Wadhwa said that India and ASEAN nations have set a target of USD 100 billion .
"On the trade front, India-ASEAN trade was USD 74.3 billion in 2013-14, having registered a 22 percent increase per annum over the last 10 years. The target, as set by the leaders of India and ASEAN at the 10th Summit in 2012, is USD 100 billion by 2015. FDI equity inflows into India from ASEAN between April 2007 and March 2014 were about USD 25.462 billion, whereas FDI outflows from India to ASEAN countries, between April 2007 and March 2014, were about USD 31.242 billion," he said.
