The country will push for expanded mutual trade and climate-related cooperation as it leads in the negotiations for the “successor document” for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Plan of Action (POA) 2021-2025.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. made the pronouncement in his intervention during the 20th ASEAN-India Summit last Thursday.
“On the economic front, we should continue efforts at enhancing ASEAN connectivity and supply chain efficiency to further expand mutual trade,” the chief executive said.
“Looking ahead, we hope to see more ASEAN-India cooperation in protecting the environment, addressing climate change, and promoting biodiversity through the ASEAN-India Green Fund,” he added.
The POA will serve as guides for ASEAN and India on political, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation.
Marcos assured the new successor document will be beneficial for ASEAN and India.
“I look forward to a productive partnership with India as the next country coordinator for ASEAN-India relations,” he said.
He thanked India for backing the calls of ASEAN for peace and stability in the South China Sea, and its efforts to foster maritime cooperation.
The chief executive also congratulated India for its recent great achievement in landing a spacecraft on the southern pole of the moon.
The 20th ASEAN-India Summit is part of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. Among its participants is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
