Phnom Penh (FN), Oct. 28 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen attended the 18th ASEAN-India summit, held on Thursday via videoconference.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and other ASEAN leaders except Myanmar attended the meeting.

According to Cambodia delegate minister Kao Kim Hourn, the leaders adopted ASEAN-India Joint Declaration on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). They noted the positive progress of the ASEAN-India cooperation amid the COVID19 crisis.

The year 2022 will mark the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations. The leaders pledged to promote and strengthen their cooperation on trade, investment, energy, finance, science and technology, innovation and digital economy as well as encouraged the ASEAN-India Business Council to continue its role in boosting trade between the two sides.

The ASEAN leaders welcomed India's support for ASEAN's effort in restoring member countries from the pandemic and thanked India for its contribution of USD 1 million to the ASEAN COVID19 Response Fund.

The ASEAN heads of states thanked India for its support in building ASEAN capacity through providing 1,000 doctoral scholarships for students from ASEAN member countries to study in India.

The leaders acknowledged the importance of the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 as well as the AOIP to ensure peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

ASEAN leaders requested India to continue its support on cooperation in the Mekong sub-region. ASEAN-India leaders also exchanged views on regional issues, including the South China Sea and Myanmar.
=FRESH NEWS