Describing as robust the India-ASEAN trade in goods, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said India seeks to have stronger ties with the bloc through joint development programmes in infrastructure and human resource development.

She said the coming into effect of the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement has improved trade interactions between the two parties. “India-ASEAN trade in goods has been robust, doubling in 2007-2008 despite the global economic crisis,” said Kaur while addressing the India-ASEAN Project Partnership Conference.

The trade balance has been in ASEAN’s favour, with Singapore becoming the largest FDI contributor after the bilateral agreements came into force, she said. “Our strategic partnership with ASEAN stands out, besides sharing common land and sea boundaries ASEAN too is on a higher growth path and is an important partner to India,” she added.

She noted that India’s development program focuses on the growth of infrastructure and human resource development. “The potential for exploration of new projects in ASEAN is extensive and extends to all domains of co-operation in sectors like rail roads, ports and airports and in the energy sector, agricultural cooperation and commodities,” said Kaur.

Speaking on the occasion, Nguyen Thanh Tan, Ambassador of Vietnam said ASEAN countries wish to have a stronger partnership with India and improve it in the fields of trade, HR, space, IT, transport and culture.