International Convention Centre, Brunei Darussalam
10 October 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III joined the other ASEAN Leaders in meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the 11th ASEAN-India Summit at the International Convention Centre in Brunei Darussalam.

In his opening remarks, His Majesty the Sultan recognized India’s plan of establishing an ASEAN-India Trade and Investment Center to push for stronger trade and investment flow, as well as an ASEAN-India Center in New Delhi. He also called for bolder initiatives to address transnational crime.

Prime Minister Sing, on the other hand, expressed his appreciation to all the leaders for a memorable ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held in his country last December 2012. He noted that relations between the region and India have grown steadily through the years, particularly in security and economy. He also responded to His Majesty’s call earlier by saying that India has laid out eight focus cooperation areas on transnational crime.

Furthermore, India stands ready in signing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in services with ASEAN countries before the year ends or until early next year. Once the FTA is signed, India expects to increase its trade with the region to US$100 billion by 2015.

He also announced that India would be setting up a separate mission to Jakarta with a full resident ambassador.

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