NEW DELHI, Dec 20 � What could further boost regional connectivity, several Heads of States strongly endorsed the expeditious execution of the road connectivity projects linking India through the North-east with its South East Asian neighbours.
Inaugurating the Plenary Session of India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit here this afternoon, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh set the tone when he emphasized on early completion of the two vital road projects, including India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project and its further extension.
Taking a cue, Heads of States of Cambodia, Loas, PDR, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar strongly advocated the early completion of the road projects. As reported earlier, the trilateral highway project connecting India through Moreh border is targeted for completion by 2016.
India has, meanwhile rolled out the red carpet in welcoming the HoS of Cambodia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Loas PDR, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. Amidst tight security, the HoS assembled in the posh Taj Palace. The inaugural summit was attended by External Affairs Salman Khursid, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, among others.
The ASEAN HoS, accompanied by Chief Ministers of the North-eastern States, including Tarun Gogoi, are attending the flag-down ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan here tomorrow morning.
Stressing on early completion of the connectivity projects, President Susilo Bambang Yudohoyono of Indonesia called for early convening of the meeting of the Transport Ministers of ASEAN countries to firm up plans to execute the projects.
Meanwhile, the Vision Statement 2020 endorsed by the HoS has expressed its commitment to enhancing ASEAN connectivity through supporting the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2015.
