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India to play active role in Asian economy: FM
By agencies
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Monday, 17 October 2005, 19:30 IST
SHANGHAI: Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said India is ready to play an "active" role in promoting Asian economic integration and is keen to cooperate with China in achieving the goal.
"India's approach towards Asian integration and its relations with Asia are increasingly an important element of our foreign policy. We are ready and committed to be an active and positive player in contributing to the cause of Asian integration," he said in his inaugural speech at the third 'Made in India' show.
"We look forward to working with China towards these goals," he said while pointing out that India first propagated the idea and concept of an 'Asian Economic Community' in September 2003.
He said that Asia, especially India and China, seems posed to provide the thrust necessary for continued economic growth into the 21st century.
"India and China are two of the most important contributors to the political and economic
dynamics of Asia, as also of the world," he said at the Made in India show, held for the first time in the eastern metropolis to showcase India's manufacturing and technological prowess.
Chidambaram also said the India-China bilateral trade, which has already crossed the $12.2 billion mark during the first eight months of 2005, may even touch an all-time high of $20 billion by the end of the year.