India signs partnership pact with Asean states

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (L) witnesses his Laotian counterpart and host Bounnhang Vorachith signing documents during a signing ceremony at the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Vientiane yesterday. Singh and 10 Asean members signed a blueprint that will guide political, social and economic relations. PHOTO: AFP

The 'Asean-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity" agreement inked by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders of Asean countries during their 3rd annual summit here outlines a multi-pronged action plan for boosting trade, investment, tourism, culture, sports and people to people contacts.

The leaders agreed to intensify efforts to combat international terrorism and other transnational crimes like drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, particularly of women and children, sea piracy and money laundering.

The powerful Asean grouping comprises Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei. India along with China and other key countries are the dialogue partners of the grouping.

Meanwhile, Russia signed a non-aggression pact with a group of 10 Southeast Asians Monday, becoming the seventh country outside of the region to join the treaty.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Treaty of Amity and Cooperation at a meeting with the leaders of the group in the Laotian capital Vientiane.