India Proposes Long-Term Visas For Business And Professionals to ASEAN

"India's naval footprint is essentially that of a net security provider even as it is set to expand. There is also potential for greater engagement between ASEAN and India in the ARF, ADMM+ and ASEAN Maritime Forum," he added.

The theme of Delhi Dialogue VI is "Realizing the ASEAN-India Vision for Partnership and Prosperity" which will allow the partners a comprehensive discussion on the future course of action. Khurshid said the dialogue will find an "identity of purpose", clear action points and the financing aspects of building India-ASEAN connectivity.

An overwhelming majority of ASEAN ministers present on the occasion appreciated India's contribution in forging the partnership and called for maximizing its potential.

Laura Del Rosario, Deputy Minister for International Economic Relations of the Philippines, said it is time "India should go East and not just Look East", referring to India's Look East policy.

Vietnam Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh called for a "collective response" to the geopolitical situation in East Asia, a reference to China's muscle-flexing in the South China and East China Sea and the surrounding region.

Earlier Siddharth Birla, president of FICCI, co-organiser of the meet with the external affairs ministry and Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), said India and ASEAN must set new targets for bilateral trade and greater private sector engagement for two-way investment.

India and ASEAN have set a trade target of $100 billion by 2015 and $200 billion by 2022. Both expect trade to surge thanks to the successful completion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on services and investment. The signing of an India-ASEAN FTA on goods in 2010 has seen trade reach $80 billion in 2011-12.

Birla also called for building digital connectivity for increasing trade and investment.

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