Speeches / Statements
Statement by EAM at EAS Ministerial Meeting
22/07/2009
Your Excellency Mr. Kasit Piromya, The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand
Excellencies,
I would, at the outset, like to express my profound gratitude to our host, the Thai Government, for their warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation.
2. Our countries have historical close and warm ties. We have faced common challenges. East Asia Summit mechanism provides us with a platform to rediscover the complementarities in the areas of our mutually beneficial cooperation.
Global Economic and Financial Crisis
3. Our senior officials have had fruitful discussions at the ad hoc consultations to prepare the ground for our today’s meeting. Our meeting is taking place in the backdrop of an ongoing multidimensional and unprecedented global financial and economic crisis.
4. It is clear that a global crisis of such magnitude, dimensions and reach requires coordinated global response. Apart from various national packages implemented by different countries, numerous collective measures are envisaged and discussed most recently within the framework of G8 Outreach interaction at L’Aquila in Italy to arrest recession, expedite recovery and put the world economy on the path of sustainable development.
5. Mr. Chairman, the EAS standalone statement on financial crisis issued by Thailand in June, 2009 aptly demonstrates the consensus we need in Asia to address the crisis through a mix of stimulus packages, enhancement of regional financial cooperation and integration frameworks, efforts to expand domestic demand, support to external credit agencies and international financial institutions and safeguarding social safety programmes while eschewing protectionist and distortionary measures I would like to point out that the present global crisis must have an inclusive approach that is also sensitive and has the consensus of EAS members.
Education
6. Mr. Chairman, the field of education also provides for opportunities for cooperation. We discussed about re-development of the Nalanda University that was established around 5th Century AD. Lord Buddha himself is supposed to have preached many sermons at Nalanda. The University then, attracted a large number of scholars from South East and East Asia. The high level Nalanda Mentor Group’s report is being given the final touches and the final report should be ready soon.
Regional/International Developments
7. Let me now share my views on some regional and international developments. Seven and a half years after U.S. troops arrived in Afghanistan following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the war there is more deadly than ever. The forthcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections have added political fluidity to a grave security situation. Ensuring peaceful or credible elections in many parts of Afghanistan is going to be a major challenge. India is ready to play a constructive role as a responsible power in defeating extremism of all kinds.
8. We have attempted to help Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts as a means to bringing about stability in that country. We have an effective, visible and highly successful assistance programme in Afghanistan. Our developmental assistance to Afghanistan, now over US$ 1.3 billion (pledged –US$ 1.2 billion), spans almost the entire gamut of economic and social developmental activities. Unfortunately our personnel and project have been regularly targeted by the Taliban. The despicable attack on our Embassy in July 2008 in which we lost a number of our people is condemnable but it will not deter us from fulfilling our commitments.
Sri Lanka
9. With armed resistance by the LTTE coming to an end in Sri Lanka, India is working with the people and Government of Sri Lanka to provide relief to those affected by the tragic conflict, and to rapidly rehabilitate all those who have been displaced, bringing their lives to normalcy as soon as possible.
Neighbouring countries
10. Let me now turn to India’s neighbourhood. Nepal has undergone democratic transition. India remains committed to support the people and the Government of Nepal in this transition and in its developmental efforts.
11. Successful elections in Bangladesh in late 2008 were a resounding victory for democracy. The people of Bangladesh have given a clear mandate and reposed full faith in the newly elected government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bhutan has also undergone voluntary and peaceful transition to democracy.
12. Since the inception of the East Asia Summit, in 2005, world has witnessed many global crises in the food, energy, economic and financial and now the health sector in the form of Swine Flu. While it serves as a useful platform for exchange of views, we feel that time is ripe for it to go beyond. We could consider some areas of collaborative action that can take forward our common objective and vision of deepening cooperation in the region. International terrorism, trans-national crime and disaster mitigation are all areas which require cooperative regional approaches and could be considered as part of our common efforts. I would like to point out that the tackling of international terrorism requires concerted and cooperative approach. In this context, the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UNGA, would go a long way to help.
13. Before winding up, I would like to reiterate that India attaches great importance to its interaction in East Asia Summit. We are committed to expanding and developing new linkages within the East Asia Summit comprehensively and to engage constructively with all our partners in EAS.
14. I propose that we entrust our senior officials with the task to identify concrete projects in key areas of our cooperation such as energy security, disaster management and mitigation, food security, etc.
Thank you.
Phuket (Thailand)
July 22, 2009