Over 100 bilaterals lined up on the margin of ASEM meet

Over 100 bilaterals, including that of India and other third countries, are taking place on the margins of the Asia-Europe Foreign Minister's meet here today.
Whereas External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is holding nearly 20 bilaterals with several of his counterparts including that from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Germany, over 90 other bilaterals are scheduled between other third countries.
According to sources, there are various teams handling India's as well as bilaterals of third countries.
From India's perspective, the significant bilaterals include meetings with Bangladesh, Pakistan and China. Other important bilaterals among third countries include that of between Pakistan-China and Pakistan-Germany.

51 countries are participating, out of which 34 are being represented by their Foreign Ministers at the two-day meet which was inaugurated by Vice President Hamid Ansari.
This is first time India hosted a major ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) ministerial meeting since it joined the grouping in 2007.
ASEM member-countries represent around 60 per cent of the world's population and contribute 52 per cent of global GDP and almost 68 per cent of world trade.