Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj (R) and Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi (Photo: rediff.com)

The meeting took place in the context that India is scaling up efforts to enhance cooperation with the region in accordance with its "Act East” policy. 

Kumar also said that on the threshold of the summit commemorating the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership, Swaraj inaugurated the fifth Round Table of ASEAN-Indian Network of Think-Tank. 

On January 5, Swaraj held talks with her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi to review relations between India and Indonesia. 

The two sides agreed to intensify consultation and cooperation in maritime issues, including the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), aiming to increase law enforcement and ensure navigation freedom. 

India-Indonesia trade grew from 4.3 billion USD in 2005-2006 to 17 billion USD in 2016-2017. 

Following Indonesia, Swarai on January 6 began her visit to Singapore. Her trip to Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore forms part of India’s efforts to hold bilateral meetings in various areas with Southeast Asian nations within the framework of the "Act East” policy.

                                  Source: VNA

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