Prime Minister proposes 3 focuses to make ASEAN-India cooperation a bright spot

With the theme “Shared Values, Common Destiny”, the leaders of ASEAN and India had in-depth discussions on the situation and development prospects of bilateral relations; agreed on many orientations and measures to further promote the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership.

Looking back over the past 25 years, the Leaders were pleased to note the remarkable progress of this special relationship. India has emerged as one of the top 10 trade partners of ASEAN, with total two-way trade turnover in 2016 reaching 58.45 billion USD. In addition, the two sides have established more than 30 dialogue mechanisms from high-level, ministerial level to expert and working groups.

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges have developed dynamically, with many diverse and rich cooperation and exchange programs and activities, attracting many classes of participants such as students, reporters, artists, etc., helping to strengthen cultural and civilizational links between India and the region. Cooperation in science and technology, environment, disaster relief, connectivity, etc. has also achieved encouraging results.

The Leaders also agreed to continue to promote and deepen the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership in all aspects through the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2016-2020.

Accordingly, ASEAN and India will continue to strengthen the dialogue mechanism at all levels; enhance cooperation and coordination on regional peace and security issues, fight against terrorism, extremism and transnational crimes. In terms of economy, the two sides will continue to promote economic-trade relations, maritime cooperation, aviation, information technology, support for medium, small and micro enterprises, and enhance business exchanges. In terms of culture and society, the two sides will increase cooperation in the fields of heritage conservation and preservation, cultural and spiritual tourism, education and training, solar energy development, environmental protection and biodiversity. The Indian Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to supporting ASEAN in narrowing the development gap, expanding connectivity cooperation with ASEAN, especially infrastructure and digital connectivity, and effectively using the committed 1 billion USD credit line.

Previously, the leaders of ASEAN and India had a small meeting to discuss “Maritime Cooperation and Security”, and all countries emphasized the importance of seas and oceans for the security and growth of both the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean regions. From there, the countries agreed to consider maritime cooperation as one of the focuses in the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership in the coming time. The two sides pledged to continue dialogue and cooperation through regional mechanisms to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation; uphold the rule of law and resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; prevent and handle accidents, incidents and coordinate search and rescue at sea; enhance maritime connectivity; protecting the marine environment and ecosystems, preventing waste and ocean acidification, conserving and sustainably using marine resources, as well as cooperating in research…

On this occasion, ASEAN and Indian leaders affirmed their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and looked forward to the early completion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

At the end of the Conference, ASEAN and Indian leaders adopted the Delhi Declaration, setting out the vision and direction for comprehensively promoting the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership in the coming years.

Speaking at the Conference, as the coordinator of ASEAN-India relations, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc comprehensively reviewed the development process of ASEAN-India relations.

With the foundation of being traditional partners in trade exchange and cultural civilization exchange since ancient times, ASEAN-India relations over the past 25 years have had strong developments in politics, economics, science and technology, culture, people-to-people exchange as well as development cooperation. To continue to promote the achievements and make ASEAN-India cooperation a bright spot in the success of the Asia-Pacific century, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc proposed 3 major focuses for cooperation.

That is, enhancing trade and investment cooperation, considering this as the main driving force of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership; the two sides need to take advantage of scientific and technological achievements of the 4.0 industrial revolution to accelerate development.

The second is to strengthen connectivity, including road and sea infrastructure connectivity, digital connectivity and people-to-people exchange.

Third is to strengthen cooperation for peace and stability in the region, responding to security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional.

Discussing maritime cooperation and security, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested that the two sides should strengthen coordination to ensure the rule of law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, enhance cooperation in building trust through joint measures to respond to challenges at sea, prioritize the development of the blue economy, including the early completion of the Maritime Transport Agreement, information sharing and coordination of maritime policies, as well as promote inter-regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.

* Also within the framework of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Leaders of ASEAN and India attended the welcome receptions hosted by the President and Prime Minister of India; attended the stamp release ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral partnership; and visited the exhibition of 20 paintings by artists participating in the ASEAN-India Creative Camp.