Phnom Penh, Jul 11:Early conclusion of ASEAN-India free trade agreement, giving further push to the economic ties and exploring new cooperation areas will be the main focus of External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's meeting with the 10-member regional grouping here.
India and the ASEAN had already implemented a free trade agreement in goods and are engaged in intense negotiations to widen its base and include services and investments.
Krishna arrived here this evening to participate in the 10th ASEAN-India Ministerial meeting during which entire architecture of the relations between ASEAN and India will be reviewed.
Krishna will also participate in the the second East Asia summit Foreign Ministers' meeting and 19th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial meeting here.
“Since we embark on Look East Policy, I think the ASEAN group of the countries have assumed special significance and we would like to further deepen and strengthen our relations with ASEAN countries,” Krishna said.
The meeting acquires greater significance as India would be hosting a special two-day ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit on December 20-21 in New Delhi to mark the 20 years of the relationship.
The India-ASEAN trade grew by an impressive 20 per cent in 2011-12 and both sides will try to further enhance the trade ties in diverse areas to take forward the economic cooperation to new level.
One of the major issues of the discussion at tomorrow's meeting will be review of progress on finalising the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement as both sides are keen on firming up the pact as soon as possible.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) side will be lead by Cambodian Foreign Minister Ho Namhong.
The India-ASEAN Trade in Goods (TIG) Agreement was signed in August 2010 after six years of negotiations and it came into force on January 1 last year.
India and the ASEAN had already implemented a free trade agreement in goods and are engaged in intense negotiations to widen its base and include services and investments.
Krishna arrived here this evening to participate in the 10th ASEAN-India Ministerial meeting during which entire architecture of the relations between ASEAN and India will be reviewed.
Krishna will also participate in the the second East Asia summit Foreign Ministers' meeting and 19th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial meeting here.
“Since we embark on Look East Policy, I think the ASEAN group of the countries have assumed special significance and we would like to further deepen and strengthen our relations with ASEAN countries,” Krishna said.
The meeting acquires greater significance as India would be hosting a special two-day ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit on December 20-21 in New Delhi to mark the 20 years of the relationship.
The India-ASEAN trade grew by an impressive 20 per cent in 2011-12 and both sides will try to further enhance the trade ties in diverse areas to take forward the economic cooperation to new level.
One of the major issues of the discussion at tomorrow's meeting will be review of progress on finalising the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement as both sides are keen on firming up the pact as soon as possible.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) side will be lead by Cambodian Foreign Minister Ho Namhong.
The India-ASEAN Trade in Goods (TIG) Agreement was signed in August 2010 after six years of negotiations and it came into force on January 1 last year.
