India hopes to conclude a long-term partnership document with the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) during their third summit in Vientiane, Laos, that begins Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
The document was the outcome of discussions between the Indian and ASEAN governments, the prime minister, who left for Vientiane for the two-day summit, said in a departure statement Sunday.
But he said, "other stakeholders, outside governments, have also participated in the process of developing this partnership document and their views too are reflected in this.
"This inclusive approach should give added momentum to this partnership between India and ASEAN," he said.
Manmohan Singh said India attaches high priority to strengthening and expanding relations with its neighbours on the East with whom it has profound civilizational ties.
He said he looked forward to meeting and exchanging views with his ASEAN counterparts on regional and international political and economic issues.
In Vientiane, Manmohan Singh with his ASEAN counterparts will flag off the second leg of the 1st India-ASEAN Car Rally that he had seen off in Guwahati Nov 22.
The car rally will "focus much needed attention" on the "imperative need to develop better road connectivity between India and our ASEAN neighbours, on upgradation of infrastructure and in promoting tourism, trade and economic relations as well as people-to-people contacts between us", he said.
The prime minister said he expected to hold bilateral talks and interact with several leaders during the summit, including those of China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
--Indo-Asian News Service