India will continue to further boost coordination between its researchinstitutes and those from ASEAN to promote the two sides’ economicgrowth and stability and ensure peace.

Indian Minister ofExternal Affairs Salman Khurshid made the pledge at the 6thIndia-ASEAN Delhi Dialogue opened in New Delhi on March 6. The event sawthe presence of a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign MinisterPham Quang Vinh.

Addressing the event, Minister Khurshidemphasised the importance of the dialogue to strengthening India andASEAN’s efforts to move forward an open, comprehensive, and constantdialogue.

He asserted that the 6 th dialogue themed “Realizingthe ASEAN-India Vision for Partnership and Prosperity” will open upall-around discussion on ways to move towards India ’s strategicpartnership with the club.

The two sides have 26 regulardialogue mechanisms in various fields. They will continue to implementthe ASEAN-India action plan until 2015, focusing on the spheres ofspace, science and technology, and agriculture, the Indian officialnoted.

Economy lays a foundation for a strategic partnership.India has recently approved a free trade agreement (FTA) in trade andservices with the grouping, he said.

Discussion related tofinance and investment to further boost the linkage between the twosides was important at the dialogue.

India is in need ofinvestment in its infrastructure and encourages FDI in the fields ofconstruction and seaport maintenance.

The minister alsounderlined cooperation potential between the two sides at ASEAN RegionalForum (ARF) and ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM+).

Both sides’ priority will be given to people-to-people exchanges, energyand food security, anti-terrorism and fighting against cross-nationalcrimes.

Two-way trade turnover surpassed 70 billion USD in 2012 and is expected to achieve the target of 100 billion USD by 2015.-VNA