KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (NNN-Bernama) — A book commemorating 30 years of ASEAN-India relations providing useful insights on how both parties could take further steps to build and strengthen cooperation over the next 10 years was launched here Thursday.
The 239-page book titled ‘ASEAN-India: Strengthening Partnership and Post-Pandemic Future” edited by Prof Prabir De from the ASEAN India Centre and the executive director of ASEAN Studies Centre at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand Dr Suthiphand Chirathivatcovers, among others, critical areas such as the impact of the changing global landscape on ASEAN-India relations in the post-COVID-19 period.
Malaysian Prime Minister’s special envoy to India and South Asia, S.A. Vigneswaran, when launching the book in his speech said the book covers ASEAN-India in the context of new regional and global political and economic initiatives, besides the significance of the 4th Industrial Revolution on future collaboration.
“Thirty years have come and gone since the establishment of the ASEAN-India relations which shows several time-tested achievements, which have had a huge collective impact on community building.
“Therefore, Malaysia wishes to reiterate its commitment to sustaining and strengthening the robust partnership between ASEAN and India,” said Vigneswaran, who is also MIC president, at the launching ceremony organised by ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC) here.
AIBC co-chairman Datuk Ramesh Kodammal and Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia, B.N. Reddy also attended the launch.
Vigneswaran commended AIBC for taking the initiative to come up with the book which is a compilation of well-researched papers that were presented at the 6th ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT) roundtable session held at a time when countries were totally focused on battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
He hoped that India would continue to make use of ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to strengthen mutual confidence and trust and enhance practical cooperation among the key stakeholders of the region.
“I believe there is still a lot more that can be done by the governments of ASEAN and India to facilitate trade and investment flow between ASEAN and India,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ramesh in his speech said he believes there is still a lot more that can be done by the governments of ASEAN and India to facilitate trade and investment flows between ASEAN and India.
“It is important that ASEAN and India expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. I understand a scoping paper has been prepared for the review and it is still pending endorsement from all parties to the agreement,” he said.
The book is sold at RM250 per copy. For further information please email to info.asean.aibc@gmail.com.
— NNN-BERNAMA
