Delegates expressed their pleasure with the good relations between ASEAN and India that have produced positive results in cooperation in economics, science, technology, environment, healthcare, tourism and cultural exchange.

ASEAN delegates applauded India’s “East-oriented” policy, and India considered the ASEAN-India relationship a key pillar in this policy and one of the important foundations for cooperation and unity in Asia.

They also said they hoped India would continue to support ASEAN in achieving its goals of unity in the region and narrowing the development gap through important programmes and plans, including a roadmap for building an ASEAN Community and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). ASEAN also hoped India would back ASEAN’s key role in regional and international forums.   

The two sides agreed to do their best to effectively carry out cooperation agreements, especially the working plan for the 2010-2015 period, focusing on economics, IT, biology, food, energy, healthcare, medicine, education and human resources development.

Together with implementing an India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, the two sides need to accelerate negotiations on agreements related to investment and services.

India committed to actively support ASEAN to build its community and narrow the development gap, increase its capacity to deal with global challenges, and cooperate to develop the Greater Mekong Sub-region. It will also assist business development and English training centres in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Both sides affirmed their determination to raise ASEAN-India relationship to a new level and carry out the working plans. They also agreed to hold a summit to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-India relationship in 2012 and create an ASEAN-India group of experts to research and make detailed proposals to further the partnership.