India-ASEAN look to boost ties at Delhi Dialogue

• Delivering the key note address at the fourth edition of Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi on Monday evening, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said, in the current global economic situation both the sides need to secure this region as an area of growth. He said,India and ASEAN need to enhance connectivity through the realisation of routes such as the Mekong-India Economic Corridor, which would have a beneficial effect especially for the eastern part of India.
• India has contributed to ASEAN integration and supports the efforts towards the creation of an ASEAN Community. Mr.Krishna said,in this digital age, the way forward points to virtual networks and e-connectivity in addition to land, rail and air connectivity. He asserted,ASEAN and India have the potential and the capacities to partner each other in such endeavors.
• Mr.Krishna reiterated that non-traditional and trans-national security challenges like cross-border terrorism, money laundering, drug trafficking, energy security, food security, climate change, disaster relief and response, protecting sea lanes of communications, piracy are present day challenges with repercussions over national, regional and international security. He urged the nations to put in coordinated efforts and demand innovative approaches beyond what ASEAN and India are already doing together in various international and regional ASEAN led fora.