India-ASEAN maritime cooperation will set tone for future of Indo-Pacific: V K Singh

Describing maritime cooperation as a critical cog in India-ASEAN ties, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said today it will set the tone for the future of the Indo-Pacific and help ensure peace and stability in the strategic region.

Speaking at a plenary session of the Delhi Dialogue themed 'Strengthening ASEAN-India maritime cooperation' and organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Singh India's new Act East policy was more "action-driven and result-oriented" which distinguishes it from the previous Look East policy.

Referring to the India-ASEAN maritime cooperation, Singh said: "We strongly believe that it is the idea of this cooperation that will set the tone for future of Indo-Pacific region. It will have all the keys to unlock the prosperity for the common good and goals for our people and provide us with the seas that are safe, secure and free for all."
Noting that ASEAN lies at the heart of India's Indo-Pacific policy, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said: "We will work to retain ASEAN centrality and ASEAN's unity in the regional architecture that follows an open, inclusive and a rules-based order."