India today underlined the need for developing economic corridors for seamless connectivity across Asia to bring people and regional economies closer for mutual benefit.
Speaking at the 12th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Bahrain capital, Manama, E Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs, said, "We want to develop economic corridors across Asia providing hope, opportunity and efficiency to our mutual benefit."
"India as a prime mover in transport linkages area, has circulated a concept paper on transport linkages such that we can have seamless connectivity and economic corridors that bring us close."
"We can link up with other regional organisations who are also working for better connectivity. It is important for our experts to meet and develop a common agenda to bring our people and our economies closer together."
He said India wants to host the next working group meeting on Regional Connectivity in 2014.
He also welcomed Turkey as the 33rd member of ACD, saying with the joining of Turkey, "we believe the ACD will further the realisation of Asian continent into Asian community and add dynamism to ACD process". He said India has deep historical, civilisational and cultural connections with Turkey.
Ahamed appreciated Bahrain for selecting the theme 'Promoting Intra-Asian Tourism' for the 12th Ministerial meeting and said India extends its support to the novel concept of the Asian Tourism City.
"I wish to mention that India is keen to join this initiative and would wish to offer to host the Tourism Business Forum. We need to harness our strengths and potential in tourism for the benefit of Asian community," Ahamed said.
He also appreciated Bahrain for its warm hospitality.
"The Kingdom of Bahrain has extended all facilities to around 3,00,000 Indians who have a made Bahrain temporary home. We share excellent relations in political, economic and cultural spheres and leaderships of the two countries have invested considerable energy and interest in developing these relations," Ahamed said.
He said the ACD has provided a significant platform for dialogue and cooperation in Asia and has contributed to enhancing friendship, promoting peace and development.
"In the present global economic crisis, there is a need to strengthen cooperation in a few project areas identified by ACD members so as to enhance efficiency and effectiveness and visibility of ACD, to make 21st century truly as Asian Century," Ahamed said.
He said there was a great potential for regional cooperation on water resources development and management among ACD countries.
"India is ready to play a positive role in enriching action on the ACD agenda and help in furthering the objectives and projects of the ACD to promote our common pursuit of stability, peace, growth and prosperity," he said.
