The Vice President of India, H.E. Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the East Asia Summit on his maiden three day-visit abroad after assuming office
THE new Vice-President of India was in Cambodia for a three-day visit to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit meetings. The Vice President Dhankhar addressed the 19th ASEAN-India Summit here on Saturday where the 10-country members of ASEAN vowed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and enhance cooperation against terrorism. This year marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations and is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accompanied Vice-President Dhankhar, who led the Indian delegation to the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the 17th East Asia Summit here. Apart from the ASEAN member states, the East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Russia. Dhankhar on Saturday announced an additional contribution of US$5 million to the ASEAN-India science and technology fund to enhance cooperation in sectors of public health, renewable energy, and smart agriculture.
He highlighted the importance of the EAS as the premier leaders led forum in the region and emphasised on its further strengthening to make it more adaptive, resilient and dynamic. During the visit, three MoUs and one Financing arrangement were exchanged related to cooperation in the areas of Culture, Biodiversity and Health.
In a joint statement, ASEAN-India acknowledged the deep civilisational linkages, maritime connectivity, and cross-cultural exchanges between Southeast Asia and India which have grown stronger over the last 30 years, providing a strong foundation for ASEAN-India relations. India and ASEAN nations also declared to enhance cooperation in the digital economy through a series of regional capacity-building activities in digital transformation, digital trade, digital skills, and innovation, as well as Hackathons.
Source:- Outlook India
