ASEAN to boost cooperation with India in various fields

The ASEAN, considered one of the world's fastest growing regions, today resolved to significantly enhance cooperation with India in combating growing challenges of maritime security, terrorism, drug trafficking and cyber crime besides expanding trade ties.

The 10-nation grouping, particularly emphasised on close engagement with India to deal with issues relating to maritime security, freedom of navigation and maritime security in the seas of the region.

The comments by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) came on a day when the dispute relating to China's territorial claims over the South China Sea was dominating the meeting of foreign ministers of the powerful bloc here.

"We agreed to further promote maritime cooperation to address common challenges on maritime issues," the ASEAN said in a statement.

Addressing the 12th India-ASEAN meeting here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had yesterday said India supported freedom of navigation and access to resources in the South China Sea in accordance with principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

State-run ONGC Videsh Limited has operation in number of oil blocks in South China Sea which were offered to it by Vietnam.

China has been objecting to India's oil exploration projects in the disputed waters.

The ASEAN said there should be greater cooperation between the member countries of the grouping and India in combating transnational and non-traditional security challenges and specifically sought better coordination to deal with combating terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking and cyber crime.

Seeking better ties with India, the grouping said it was looking forward to signing of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement in services and investment at the forthcoming meeting of Economic and Trade Ministers here later this month.

India and the ASEAN have already implemented a free trade agreement in goods and are set to widen its base and include services and investments.

The India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement was signed in August 2009 and it came into force on January 1, 2010.