PM Manmohan Singh and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in Darussalam on Wednesday. — PTI

Brunei, October 9
Aiming to give fillip to India’s “Look East” policy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to announce new initiatives to take forward ties with the ASEAN by setting up a mission and appointing an ambassador for the 10-member grouping.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here today, will attend the 11th India-ASEAN Summit and the 8th East Asian Summit here tomorrow, followed by a bilateral visit to Indonesia. During his stay, he will hold talks with the ASEAN leaders on crucial bilateral and regional issues, including ways to enhance economic cooperation.

As India aims to take forward its relationship with the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), the Prime Minister is expected to announce India's plans to set up a new mission for the grouping. India plans to appoint a separate ambassador for the strategically important region.

The new mission would be set up in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia where ASEAN Secretariat is also based. During the visit, India will also sign an inter-governmental agreement with six East Asian nations on Nalanda university. India is also looking for greater economic ties and cooperation in areas of security, connectivity and culture with South-East Asian countries.

The visit assumes significance as India is looking to ink a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on services and investments by the end of 2013 with ASEAN. — PTI