National
Make Indo-Pacific region threat-free: India
Jakarta, Jan 6 (IANS) With New Delhi enhancing its engagements with southeast Asia under its Act East Policy, India on Saturday called for the waters of the Indo-Pacific region to be better connected and free of traditional and non-traditional threats.
“The Indo Pacific region, is increasingly seen as a connectivity pathway – much of the world’s trade passes through these oceans,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said while addressing the Fifth Round Table of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-India Network of Think Tanks here.
“These waters must not only get better connected, but remain free from traditional and non-traditional threats, that impede free movement of people, goods and ideas,” she stated.
“Respect for international law, notably Unclos (United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea), in ensuring this is, therefore imperative.”
The remarks assume significance given China’s belligerence in the South China Sea and growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
Stating that both India and the Asean countries are maritime nations, Sushma Swaraj said: “As a mature and responsible nation, one of India’s foreign policy interests, is to evolve a regional architecture based on the twin principles of shared security, and shared prosperity.”
The Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Stating that both India and Asean shared a common vision for global commerce and maritime domain, Sushma Swaraj said that New Delhi looked forward to working closely with the regional bloc in a range of activities like developing a Blue Economy, coastal surveillance, building off- shore patrolling capabilities, hydrographic services, and information sharing for increased maritime domain awareness.
She also said that deeper economic integration with the Asean region was an important aspect of India’s Act East Policy.
“Asean is India’s fourth largest trading partner, accounting for 10.2 per cent of India’s total trade,” she stated. “India is Asean’s seventh largest trading partner. Trade is back on track and registered an 8 per cent increase in 2016-17, as compared to the previous year.”
Pointing out that investment flows have remained robust, Sushma Swaraj said that there have been continuous efforts to promote dialogue among Asean and Indian business and trade associations, to further enhance bilateral trade and investment.
“The establishment of a Project Development Fund will encourage Indian companies to develop manufacturing hubs in CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam) countries,” she stated.
“Our offer of a $1 billion line of credit is another important initiative to enhance physical and digital connectivity.”
The Indian minister called upon participants of Saturday’s round table to offer new ideas for a greater integration of Asean Economic Community with India and identify collaborative opportunities in investment, trade and services sector.
She also called for greater collaboration among educational institutions of India and the Asean nations, saying this would “contribute towards investing in the future of our relationship, especially where it involves the youth of our countries”.
“I invite you all to discuss modalities for setting up a network of universities among Asean countries and India, to intensify our cooperation in the education sector,” she said.
Sushma Swaraj arrived here from Thailand on Friday on the second leg of her three-nation tour of southeast Asia and co-chaired the fifth meeting of the India-Indonesia Joint Commission with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
After addressing the think tanks’ round table on Saturday, she interacted with members of the Indian community here before leaving for Singapore, where she will inaugurate this year’s Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Sunday.
Sushma Swaraj’s visit to the region comes ahead of the Special Commemorative Summit to be hosted by New Delhi later this month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Dialogue Partnership between India and Asean. Leaders of all 10 nations of the regional bloc are expected to attend the summit.
–IANS
ab/vm
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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