The 19th ASEAN-India Joint Cooperation Committee (AIJCC) Meeting took place in Jakarta, Indonesia on February 26.

Participants at the meeting in a group photo

Officials at the event said progress has been made in implementing decisions reached at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018 in New Delhi, and at a meeting of the sides’ leaders in Singapore in November last year. 

The conduction of the plan of actions for ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity for 2016 – 2020 also saw positive outcomes in various areas. 

To date, 97 out of 130 lines of actions within the action plan have been implemented.

Participating nations affirmed the need to comprehensively carry out the plan, particularly the remaining 33 lines.

Considering ASEAN a reputable and important regional association, India said it is committed to supporting the bloc’s efforts to build a community, narrow the development gap and connect member states to India by air, road and waterway.

In 2019 – 2020, India will join ASEAN in boosting cooperation programmes for the 2019 tourism year, as well as their collaboration in renewable energy, green economy, maritime area, press exchange and in the establishment of an ASEAN-India university network.

India said it will contribute to existing funds for joint activities with the bloc such as the ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund, ASEAN-India Green Fund and ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund. It will also commit 1 billion USD in loan to the development of infrastructure and digital linking with ASEAN.

On the occasion, participants lauded Vietnam’s coordinating role in and contributions to ASEAN – India relations between 2015 and 2018.-VNA