India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledged to strengthen their economic and strategic relationship during a meeting held in Delhi earlier this week to mark 20 years of India -ASEAN ties.
With the aim of doubling free trade over the next decade, the two sides finalised a fair trade agreement in services and investments, ensuring that business professionals can travel easily between nations, as well as agreeing to work towards increased "maritime security cooperation."
Describing the move as "transformational", India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said:
“I am optimistic that our trade will exceed US$100 billion by 2015 and we should aim for the milestone of $200 billion 10 years from now,”
“Our future will be driven by the bonds of connectivity we build in the coming years."
"These physical bonds will be strengthened by digital links which will help our younger generations to network better. Together this web of linkages will help unleash the vast economic potential of our region, accelerate development and deepen our strategic partnership.”
See here for similar China-ASEAN strengthening of ties.
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