PM Manmohan to undertake three country Asia tour

In sync with India’s ‘Look East Policty’, the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh would undertake a three-country Asia tour to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam beginning on 24^th October, 2010.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Day After News, Feature and Editorial Services (DANFES) that Dr Singh’s three country visit to Asia is expected to strengthen the bilateral Indian relations with its neighbouring countries. During his visit, Dr Singh is expected to hold discussions with political leaders, parliamentarians and participate in business summits.

“He (Dr Manmohan Singh) would first visit Tokyo between 24-26 October, for the Annual Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Naoto Kan of Japan”, informed MEA. The two Prime Ministers will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues. PM and the Minister of State at MEA, Gursharan Kaur will be received in audience by Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The Prime Minister would also have several meetings with political leaders, parliamentarians and captains of Japanese trade and industry.

On the second leg of his tour, Dr Singh will pay an official visit to Malaysia from 26 to 28 October, at the invitation of the Malaysian PM Dato’ Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, who had invited Dr Singh to Malaysia during his visit to India in January 2010.

Dr Singh will hold discussions with his Malaysian counterpart on all facets of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. His other engagements include an audience with the King and Queen of Malaysia, launch of CEOs’ Forum, Khazanah Global Lecture 2010, visit to ‘Little India’ and attending Indian community reception hosted by the Indian High Commissioner.

After this, PM Manmohan Singh will travel to Hanoi (Vietnam) on the third and final leg of his Asian tour, for participating in the 8^th India-ASEAN Summit and 5^th East Asia Summits on 30^th October 2010. Here, he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with a number of ASEAN and other leaders, on the sidelines of the summits.

India’s robust engagement with ASEAN is a key component of her ‘Look East’ Policy enunciated in1992. Straddling South and East Asia, India seeks to enhance her civilisational linkages with her ASEAN and East Asian neighbours.