New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) Amid growing concern over China's territorial assertions in the South China Sea, India and the 10-member ASEAN will discuss the security architecture in the sea as well as connectivity projects with Southeast Asia to give a fillip to India's Act East policy, a top official said on Tuesday.
Briefing the media on the eve of the two-day Delhi Dialogue VII, a platform for brainstorming on all aspects of the ASEAN-India relationship, Anil Wadhwa, secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, said the government's Act East policy has lent new vigour to India's engagement with Southeast Asia.
Wadhwa said India was for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and in other parts of the world where India's trade passes through.
He said that the ASEAN countries have expressed concern in the past at the situation in the South China Sea.
"The idea is to evolve a security architecture in the region, which is currently being discussed at workshops at the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum context and the process of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea," he said.
India has submitted a paper on the security architecture of the South China Sea and intends to participate regularly in the meetings and put across its views, he said.
There were many views on the issue and finally what evolves will be a consensus, he said.
Wadhwa said the two key connectivity projects between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - the Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal project - were set to be completed by 2016.
"Both are on track," he said, adding that the Kaladan project, which will provide a road and riverine link between Myanmar and Mizoram as well as connect Indian ports to Sittwe port in Myanmar, would be completed ahead of the Trilateral Highway.
Wadhwa said issues dogging completion of the 3,200-km Trilateral Highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand, like alignment changes, have been tackled.
India was also working to set up the "soft infrastructure" along the highway - like customs clearances, permits for vehicles etc. - to make the highway when ready a seamless connect with the ASEAN.
The highway will connect Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
To a question, Wadhwa said the northeastern states and the central government were working together to improve the infrastructure of the northeast to boost connectivity through road and rail, with some foreign governments helping.
India was also working to improve maritime connectivity with the ASEAN, through setting up dedicated shipping lines for trade between India and the bloc.
The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods agreement inked in 2009 created one of world's largest free trade areas (FTA) - a market of around 1.8 billion people with a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion.
The agreement, which came into force on January 1, 2010 has helped boost bilateral trade, from $44 billion in 2009-10 to over $74 billion in 2013-14, he added.
The FTA in Services and Investment is likely to enter into force later this year, which would give a further fillip to trade and investment.
Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore have already ratified the agreement while rest of the ASEAN members are expected to follow.
The Delhi Dialogue has the theme "ASEAN-India: Shaping the post 2015 Agenda". It will be attended by foreign ministers of the ASEAN countries as well as some of the chief minister of the northeast Indian states.
Bengaluru violence: Three killed in police firing, 110 arrested
In Bengaluru, the number of people who died in a controversy caused by a social media post and the violence that has arisen from it has now risen to three.
Big terrorist conspiracy failed: Attempt to shake Jammu and Kashmir, security forces destroyed IED in Sidra
A suspicious IED has been recovered in Jammu's Sidra. It is being told that the suspected IED has been found on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Sidra. After this, the police stopped the traffic
PM Modi: 'I have immense energy within me.., people should dedicate the next 25 years to the country'; Prime Minister after Kanyakumari visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu on a spiritual journey after the political engagements of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. After 45 hours of meditation at the Vivekananda
Current financial year: Government expenditure of 18.24 lakh crore in the first half, revenue 12.03 lakh crore
During the first half (April-September) of the current financial year, the government has spent Rs 18.24 lakh crore. Its revenue during this period has been 12.03 crores. With this, the fiscal deficit
Biparjoy : Cyclone 'Biparjoy' will become even more dangerous, next 36 hours important; Know in which states the effect will be seen
Once again, the threat of cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' is looming large in the coastal areas of the country. According to the Meteorological Department, in the next 36 hours, Biparjoy can take a more
Weather Update: Heavy rain in 21 states including Delhi-UP, railway line caved in, Badrinath Highway closed due to landslides
Amidst the G-20 summit, the weather patterns changed in 21 states including the national capital. Heavy to very heavy rain occurred from west to east and from north to south in India including Delhi,
Establishment of 'Manmohan Singh Chair' in Akal University, Kalgidhar Society decided in memory of former PM.
Kalgidhar Society Baru Sahib has established 'Dr. Manmohan Singh Chair in Development Economics' in Akal University. This initiative by Baru Sahib has been taken in memory of former PM Dr. Manmohan
The impact of the second wave of Covid in the country: more than 10 million people became unemployed; 97% of households lost their earnings; It will take a year to get good jobs
The second wave of Corona led to the loss of jobs of more than 1 crore Indians in the country and the earnings of more than 97% of the families have declined. Mahesh Vyas, CEO of private think tank
Delhi Gurugram Expressway News: Due to the closure of entry of heavy vehicles in Delhi, traffic jam in Gurugram, vehicles crawling on the road.
There was a traffic jam in Gurugram due to the closure of the entry of heavy vehicles in Delhi from 10 pm on Monday to 1.30 pm on Tuesday for the final rehearsal of the Republic Day celebrations.
Nagpur Violence: 'Nagpur violence was well planned', CM Fadnavis said in the assembly - will not spare the culprits
Regarding Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that it seems that this violence was planned. Speaking on the Nagpur issue in the Assembly, CM Fadnavis said that
