India lauds Cambodia for its constructive, supportive role

By ANI | ANI

Phnom Penh, July 11 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Wednesday conveyed India's sincere appreciation to Cambodia for its constructive and supportive role in its capacity as country coordinator for India over the last three years.

Addressing the open session of the 10th ASEAN-India ministerial meeting here, Krishna said: "This year marks two decades of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership. I take this opportunity to convey India's sincere appreciation to Cambodia for its constructive and supportive role, in its capacity as country coordinator for India over the last three years."

"This period witnessed notable intensification and deepening of cooperation in ASEAN-India partnership. Cambodia, in its capacity as current the ASEAN chair, played a pivotal role this year to take our engagement with ASEAN to the next high level. I also recognize the valuable contribution of the previous ASEAN chair Indonesia, and we look forward to working closely with Brunei Darussalam, the country coordinator for India for 2012-15," he added.

Asserting that India's relationship with ASEAN is a key cornerstone of foreign policy and the foundation of our 'look east policy', Krishna said: " We have attempted to anchor this within the larger context of Asia as an engine for global growth and prosperity."

"It is in this spirit that we have suggested project proposals to the ASEAN secretariat covering multifaceted dimensions of our cooperation as envisaged under the Plan of Action for 2010-2015," he added.

He further said that the people and Government of India look forward to the privilege of welcoming the ASEAN leaders and ministers at the special ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi from 20 to 21 December this year.

"I am particularly pleased at the enormous support and enthusiasm in ASEAN capitals to join us in observing this important landmark. Excellencies, the commemorative summit will present a special opportunity to pronounce together a new era in the ASEAN-India partnership," he added.

Stating that he is happy to note that the ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme has been institutionalized, Krishna said: " I sincerely thank Cambodia and Vietnam for hosting the first group of Indian journalists, who are present with us in this room today. We look forward to host ASEAN journalists during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit." (ANI)