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PM wants to better ties with ASEAN Flying into this Thai beach resort for the India-ASEAN and the East Asian summits this evening, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set the tone for India's deeper engagement with South East Asian nations as part of New Delhi's 'Look East' policy.
“I will discuss with the ASEAN leaders new initiatives to accelerate the process of our engagement in areas such as greater economic integration, people-to-people contacts, agriculture, human resource development, education, science and technology and information and communications,” he said in a statement. The Seventh India-ASEAN Summit will take place tomorrow while the fourth East Asia summit will be held on Sunday. Noting that the conclusion of the India-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA) in August was a major step in the objective of the two sides of creating an India-ASEAN regional trade and investment area, the PM expressed happiness that India-ASEAN trade has grown at a healthy rate and stood at about 48 billion dollars in 2008. Referring to the East Asia summit, Manmohan Singh said it would review cooperation in five areas -energy, education, finance, avian influenza and national disaster mitigation. The summit would provide an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues of common interest, and future direction for community building and cooperation. Asia's response to global economic slowdown, food security, energy security and climate change would be important issues of discussion. ASEAN, the vibrant South East Asian grouping, brings together Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Six countries — India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand —are its dialogue partners. India is currently also negotiating an FTA with ASEAN in service and investment sectors, in which it has a definite edge over the ASEAN member states. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Summit today asked all its 10 member nations to embrace pan-Asian economic ties. Inaugurating the summit, Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva emphasised that it was time to realise the dream of Asian community and urged member nations to collectively roll out a clear vision, what he described as the 'Vision for Asian Community 2015'. “We have reinforced ASEAN's outward looking character with the completion of FTAs without key partners in the region, including China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, and are now exploring the possibility of establishing a region-wide FTA,” he said.
Thailand Diary Indian journalists here to cover the Prime Minister’s visit for the India-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit missed the hospitality of the ‘Maharaja’. The reason: the PM flew into this picturesque Thai beach resort in an Indian Airlines aircraft and not on board Air India. The Thai authorities had informed all participating nations well in advance that since Hua Hin had a small airport, it would be difficult for any wide-bodied aircraft to land at the airport. Only top aides of the PM, SPG contingent and a few journos from the official media could be accommodated in the small IAF aircraft that brought the PM here.All other journalists, who were technically a part of the PM’s entourage, had to travel separately to Bangkok on board a commercial Indian Airlines flight. After an almost sleepless night in the aircraft, the journos had to undertake a tiring four-hour journey by road from Bangkok to Hua Hin. Thai King not in good health The health of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, longest -reigning monarch, is a cause of worry for the people of Thailand. There were rumours yesterday that he had passed away, sparking speculation that the thrice postponed ASEAN Summit may be deferred yet again. The palace promptly announced that that the king’s health was ‘satisfactory’. Security increased Thailand has mounted one of its biggest security operations in recent history with more than 36,000 military and police to prevent any anti-government demonstrations from bringing the ASEAN and East Asia summits aground. The Thai government is still smarting from the storming of the East Asia Summit in April at the seaside resort of Pattaya where protestors charged through thin police ranks and forced the evacuation of several leaders by helicopter and boat. Peep into this exotic resort Everyone has heard of the Thai beach resorts of Pattaya and Phuket but very few are aware of Hua Hin. Located some 200 km from Bangkok, Hua Hin is the oldest and most traditional Thai resort that combines the attractions of a modern holiday destination with the charm and fascination of a still active fishing resort. While most other Thai holiday destinations cater mainly to foreign tourists, Hua Hin is a holiday resort for foreigners and Thais.
Plans to strengthen posts along China border New Delhi, October 23 Speaking, at the 48th raising of the ITBP, the Home Minister said induction of advanced communication systems, surveillance equipment, watercrafts and specialised vehicles besides modern weaponry are also under consideration for the force. The ITBP is posted in areas where the Army is not deployed. The Army is deployed only along disputed areas, which comprise of Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Home Minister said we were considering a restructuring plan. Under this plan, the Home Ministry would ensure speedy and early clearance for 15 new battalions, a counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school, a high-altitude medical institute and three recruit training centres.
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