India-Asean Youth Summit begins in Bhopal

The five-day long India-Asean Youth Summit stated here today with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan calling upon the participants to work for eradication of terrorism, poverty and drug menace.

Chouhan also urged them to work for women empowerment and environment protection.

"Fight the scourge of terrorism. Most importantly eliminate the mentality that begets terrorism," Chouhan said inaugurating the summit.

The Chief Minister spoke about the poverty alleviation programmes being run in India and Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan said there was a need to empower women and listed his government endeavours on the issue.

Besides, he said the youth should protect environment following global warming and work to rid the society of the drug menace.
 

The summit with the theme - "Shared Values, Common Destiny" - has been jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, India Foundation and the state government.

Over 200 delegates from Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and India are participating in it.