New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday addressed the 17th East Asia Summit in a closed session in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on the last day of his visit. During the Summit, he highlighted the importance of the EAS mechanism in promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific with freedom of navigation and overflight.
He also underlined the growing global concerns on food and energy security and called for EAS Members’ full contribution to the International Year of Millets in 2023. The Summit comprises the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and its eight dialogue partners - India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Russia.
At the Summit, leaders discuss ways to further strengthen the East Asia Summit mechanism, as well as matters of regional and international interest and concerns including maritime security, terrorism and non-proliferation, according to news agency PTI.
The Vice President also met US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 17th East Asia Summit amid his three-day visit to Cambodia.
On Saturday, India and ASEAN countries vowed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and enhance cooperation against terrorism during the 19th ASEAN-India Summit. He further announced an additional contribution of USD 5 million to the ASEAN-India science and technology fund to enhance cooperation in sectors of public health, renewable energy, and smart agriculture.
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.
Before addressing the summit on Saturday, Dhankhar and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen held discussions on ways to further enhance bilateral ties, including in areas like human resources, de-mining, and development projects.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations and is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an international organisation that has 10 member countries in Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
(With agency inputs)