New Delhi (VNA) – The Associationof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India have voiced their determination tobolster bilateral ties by stepping up maritime cooperation and connectivity.

The information was publicised in astatement of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), following theASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), which took place in New Delhi onApril 11-12.

The meeting was co-chaired by Vijay ThakurSingh, SOM Leader of India and Secretary (East) of the MEA, and BusayaMathelin, SOM Leader and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairsof Thailand.

At the event, the two sides reviewed theASEAN-India strategic partnership and its future direction.

They made their assessment on the progressof cooperation under all three political-security, economic and socio-culturalpillars, while exchanging views on regional and international issues of sharedconcern.

They discussed ways and means to furtherdeepen cooperation on financial matters as well as overall strengthening of theASEAN Secretariat.

They agreed to deepen maritime cooperation asdecided at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018 and to impart impetus toASEAN-India connectivity, in all its forms.

The officials vowed to enhance cooperation inrenewable energy and hold an ASEAN-India conferenceon renewable energy in 2019.

The MEA noted that the ASEAN-Indiapartnership is being implemented through the “Plan of Action (2016-20) to carryout the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity”.

The two sides have obtained good progressalong the 30 mechanisms to implement cooperation in the different sectors ofASEAN-India cooperation. A Calendar of ASEAN-India Activities for the year 2019was announced at the meeting.-VNA