New Delhi, Nov 20 : With
better connectivity, North East India could well be the gateway to the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries comprising of
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
This was
articulated by Thailand Ambassador to India Pisan Manawapat on Saturday
evening at a press conference held at the private residence of Chief
Minister Neiphiu Rio at Sovima village.
The
Thai envoy, while expressing optimism that with easier connectivity, the
South East Asian countries sees NE region especially the states of
Nagaland and Assam as gateway to ASEAN, added that the improved
situation in Myanmar would also act as a catalyst for easier
connectivity between India and the ASEAN and thus enhance better
relations.
Also stating that ASEAN countries, by 2015, will
become a community of nations, he further stated that the Look East
Policy will become more of a reality only with the initiatives taken by
India towards this end.
The Thai envoy was
accompanied by the High Commissioner of Malaysia, Ambassadors of Vietnam
and Laos. They were in Nagaland to oversee the preparedness of the
State to host the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012, which would be flagged in at Kohima, before proceeding to Assam in December.
The
rally, which is set to take place from November 25 to December 20 and
is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in close cooperation with
the member states of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat, also commemorates
the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India relations.
The
rally has been conceived with the following objectives: To demonstrate
proximity of India with ASEAN countries; to create public awareness of
India-ASEAN relations; to promote connectivity, especially road
transport, and to enhance trade, investment, tourism and people to
people links between India and the ASEAN countries.
Officials
from Ministry of External Affairs, GoI, & CII Nagaland Chapter and
other State officials were also present at the press meet.
Also
addressing the media, Chief Minister Rio expressed happiness about the
forthcoming mega event and said the State is honoured to host the
participants for the second time at Kohima. He also assured, on behalf
of the State Government, that the participants would be given the best
possible care. In this regard, he said a committee would be set up,
headed by Himato Zhimomi, IFS, to make arrangements for the smooth
conduct of the rally in Nagaland.
On India
undertaking a number of initiatives to strengthen economic cooperation
with ASEAN countries in areas of common interest, for promoting free
trade, combating terrorism and for ensuring security in the region, Rio
said the North Eastern states and particularly Nagaland will receive
maximum benefits as it remains the centre point of the ‘Look East
Policy’.
“In India, we are at one end of
the world, but with the Look East Policy, we become the centre point of
it,” he said, adding that it will create a boom in the NE states and
Nagaland extensively.
Stating that North
East India and the ASEAN countries have much in common, be it culture,
geographical proximity, etc, he also said the car rally is a step to
come closer. One of the first priorities of the motor car rally should
also result in opening up better connectivity by road, he said.
Chief
of Protocol, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI, Dr Sumit Seth and
President CII, Nagaland Chapter, Dr Ao Toshi also spoke at the press
conference.
The ASEAN delegation included Ambassador of Laos
Thongphanh Syackhaphom and his wife Viengseng Syackhaphom; High
Commissioner of Malaysia Dato’ Tan Sung; Ambassador of Vietnam Nguyen
Thanh and his wife Dang Thi Thanh Xuan; MInsiter-Counsellor, Royal Thai
Embassy, Worawuth Bunchaliew; Minister-Counsellor, Royal Thai Embassy,
Miss Sasirit Tangulrat; First Secretary, High Commission of Malaysia,
Faizal Shani; Press Assistant, Royal Thai Embassy, Benjapol Peuchsingha
and Deputy Chief of Protocol, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI, Dr
Sumit Seth.
Since the “Look East Policy of
1991”, the partnership between India and the Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam has
started developing at quite a fast pace. India became a sectoral partner
of ASEAN in 1992, and a full dialogue partner in 1996.
With
the 1st ASEAN-India Car Rally organised in 2004 with the objective to
give ASEAN-India relations a very public face and a trail-blazing
beginning, it created an atmosphere of exuberance that people of both
sides still cherish and celebrate. The rally not only marked a
meaningful step forward in ASEAN-India relations, but also reflected the
existence of the land route connectivity that facilitated in being a
catalyst of the free flow of trade, investment and terrorism between the
ASEAN countries and India.
The organisers
informed that the forthcoming Car Rally, with the expedition of 31
Mahindra & Mahindra XUV 500 vehicles, will travel through 8 of the
10 ASEAN countries and India in 22 days around 8000 kilometers. 124
participants from 11 nationalities will travel together in a piloted
convoy on a predetermined route.
The
flag-off will take place on November 26 at Jakarta, Indonesia. It will
enter India on December 15 at Moreh border, move towards Imphal and take
a night halt the same day in Kohima.
The
rally will depart from Kohima for Dimapur on December 16 and will
formally end on December 17 at Guwahati with a flag down ceremony by
Anand Sharma, India’s Union Minister of Commerce, Industry &
Textiles and Trade Ministers from the ASEAN countries. The rally will
finally culminate in Delhi with a ceremonial flag-down on December 20 by
the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the presence of the Heads of State
of 10 ASEAN countries.
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