& # 39; Blue Economy & # 39; in the links between India and Asia, in South Asia



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NEW DELHI • Maritime cooperation has emerged as a key area of ​​engagement between India and Asean as New Delhi strengthens its links with Southeast Asia under Act East policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

. "The Blue Economy" is the commitment of the Indian Government to improve connectivity between its northeastern region and neighboring Asean cities.

Mrs. Preeti Saran, Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, emphasized the importance of New Delhi for ASEAN. Indian cooperation in the maritime field in his opening address at the 10th Delhi Dialogue yesterday. The Dialogue is an annual gathering of political and economic leaders, policy makers and think tanks to discuss issues related to India and Asean.

At a workshop on the blue economy held Wednesday before the dialogue, she also stressed maritime links between the two parties. "Asean and India are maritime neighbors," she said, adding that the blue economy would be a key enabler for the growth and development of the Indo-Pacific region.

Noting the great potential for cooperation in this area, "Through the effective exploitation of blue resources, including through the use of new and emerging technologies, the problems of poverty, food insecurity, unemployment and ecological imbalance can be effectively solved. "

Air, land and sea connectivity was also at the heart of the Delhi Dialogue discussions, with participants underscoring the importance of these links for the success of the North-East cooperation. India and Asean. "Strengthening connectivity is the key to unlocking the prosperity of this region," Foreign Minister VK Singh told a roundtable with leaders of northeastern states. East. the expansion of air and digital connectivity between India and the ASEAN countries. He talked about extending the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway, currently under construction, across Southeast Asia.

But, he said, Singapore is resolutely opposed to any attempt to restrict the right of navigation and overflight. "Singapore is a small city-state, we have no chance of surviving in a world where the force is right, so Singapore must be a strong advocate and a supporter of a rules-based world order, which maintains the rights and sovereignty of all states equally, regardless of their size and offers a peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to force. "

Northeast India has been dubbed" gate from entry to Southeast Asia. "But more than a mere" gateway ", the region should strive to be" the linchpin of Indian politics " Act East, "said Ram Madhav, president of the India Foundation.

" With its immensity, its varied natural resources and its knowledge. "According to Mr. Madhav, also a member of the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata party, the region can offer great opportunities with great value.

New Delhi's commitment to politics – which covers a broader area of ​​cooperation than the previous Look East policy and is more results-oriented – is evident in this year's Delhi Dialogue. He sees the leaders of the eight North-East states meeting at various roundtables during this two-day event

In addition to trade and tourism, participants also called for greater educational and cultural exchanges, in particular the creation of institutions. Studies in Southeast Asia in collaboration with institutes such as ISEAS Singapore – Yusof Ishak Institute. Calls have also been made for the ASEAN countries to establish consulates in Assam, the most dynamic state in north-east India

Nirmala Ganapathy

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