Logo

Logo

‘India committed to build on Asean-India Dialogue partnership’

The three day long International Conference ‘Purbasa’ –East Meets East organised by Kalinga International Foundation concluded here on Sunday. Odisha…

‘India committed to build on Asean-India Dialogue partnership’

Odisha Governor S C Jamir (Photo: Facebook)

The three day long International Conference ‘Purbasa’ –East Meets East organised by Kalinga International Foundation concluded here on Sunday.

Odisha Governor Dr S C Jamir stated that the conference supplements the government’s intention and effort to enhance Indian’s multifaceted engagement with ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific through series of events and activities.

The country is very clear in its approach and commitment to build on ASEAN –India Dialogue partnership that recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, he noted.

Advertisement

In the valedictory ceremony diplomat Lalit Mansingh, chairman, Kalinga International Foundation, Prof Ajarn Sulak Sivaraksha of Thailand, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, minister of Buddha Sasana, Sri Lanka were present.

Chairing a technical session Prof Baladas Ghoshal, secretary general, Indian Ocean Studies said political and strategic cooperation is increasing rapidly between India and some of the South East countries.

He also spoke about the importance of cultural connectivity. China’s road development project and other economic relations have created economic cooperation with many south East Asia countries.

Citing an example he said, while China’s trading with Vietnam is 17 billion dollar while India’s trading with Vietnam is 7 billion dollar.

Dr Udai Bhanu Singh, senior research associate, Institute of Defence Studies and & Analysis (IDSA), Prof Shankari Sundararaman, Professor, South Eastern Studies; chairperson, Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, JNU,Prof Harsh V Pant, Distinguished Fellow; and Head of Strategic Studies, ORF, Dr Swarnim Wagle, Vice Chairman, National Planning Commission, Nepal Prof Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh, Dr Nguyen Xuan Trung, Centre for Indian Studies Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Vietnam, Dr Adriana Elisabeth, Head of Centre for Political Studies, Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI) were the panelists in the session.

The second session was based on Tourism, Culture; Buddhism which was chaired by Lalit Mansingh and overview by Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Sri Lanka, Prof Ajarn Sulak Sivaraksha of Thailand. Mr Mansingh said tourism, culture and Buddhism are interlinked.

The history of Kalinga and Sri Lanka is inseparable. Perera gave a comparative overview on Buddhism. Minister said 80% of students are learning Buddhism now in Sri Lanka.

The issues about Tourism, culture, and Buddhism are not standing alone but strongly related to economy, Polity, defence, history, National, ideology etc.

Hospitality is very important for tourism. The third session focused on bilaterals: India’s Most Favoured Nations chaired by diplomat Pinak Chakravarty focussed on relationship between India with its neighbouring countries.

The speakers of the sessions emphasised on increasing air connectivity between India’s neighbouring countries, more government-to-government engagements & sharing new ideas and initiatives towards diplomatic relationships.

Advertisement