ASEAN a 'role model' for regional cooperation: India

Describing ASEAN as a "role model" for regional cooperation, India today sought to work closely with the grouping to weave a "mutually beneficial legacy" and strengthen the "very rich" cultural partnership.
Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh, in his keynote address at the 2nd International Conference on ASEAN-India Cultural and Civilisational Links here, said, the three pillars of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership -- political, economic and socio-cultural -- have thrived for many centuries.
"Recognising our Prime Minister's desire for building a deeper engagement with South East Asia by expanding and comprehensively documenting India's civilisational links with ASEAN countries, our Act East policy lays significant focus on this third pillar of the ASEAN-India relationship," he said.

"ASEAN has evolved into a role model for regional cooperation as it celebrates the 50th anniversary year of its foundation this year. Today, it is appreciated for the stability it has brought to the region and its immediate neighbourhood," Singh said.
He asserted that India looks forward to working closely with ASEAN to weave a "mutually beneficial legacy" which would be cherished by future generations.
"Promotion of socio-cultural ties through people-to-people contacts such as exchange programmes for students, media persons, diplomats, parliamentarians and farmers and the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks and Eminent persons lecture series have continued," he noted.

Singh pointed out that 2017 marks 25 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of summit-level interaction and 5 years of strategic partnership with ASEAN.

"Our celebrations will include hosting of a Commemorative Summit, a Commemorative Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a Youth Summit and a host of other events including ASEAN-India Cultural Festivals, business events, policy seminars, public competitions and a car rally and sailing expedition," Singh said.
"The theme of our commemorative celebrations is 'Shared Values, Common Destiny', which aptly reflects the close cultural and civilisational links India and countries of South East Asia have enjoyed over the millennia," he said.

Singh asserted that it is incumbent to trace and preserve shared heritage and leave this legacy for the future generations.
"Evidence of linkages between Ancient India and South East Asia abound in texts and folklore, architecture, literature, dance-forms, music, religion and culture...From the ancient period upto the 12th century, Hinduism as a way of life permeated South East Asia. Thailand incorporates significant elements from Hinduism in its architecture, arts, sculpture dance, drama and literature," Singh said.
"Moreover, Islam travelled to South East Asia from India via traders. It thrives today as a tolerant religion in the region, with Indonesia of course being the largest Muslim country in the world, followed by India. Together, we set an example for the rest of the world, in peaceful co-existence, tolerance and compassion," he said.