ASEAN, India agree to work toward strategic partnership

The 13th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting took place in Vientiane, Laos, on August 6.
ASEAN, India agree to work toward strategic partnership ảnh 1Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Source: livemint.com)

Vientiane (VNA) – The 13th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting took place in Vientiane, Laos, on August 6, with ministers agreeing to push the implementation of the two sides’ agreements on investment, trade and services towards lifting ASEAN-India ties to a strategic partnership.

Addressing the event, which was part of the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related events, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community late last year, saying that this will boost the bloc’s connectivity and cooperation, make it a dynamic and highly competitive region by 2025.

Participants hailed the robust bilateral trade exchange in 2015, reaching 58.7 billion USD, accounting for 2.6 percent of ASEAN’s total trade value and making India the bloc’s sixth largest trade partner. 

India is also the eighth largest investor in ASEAN, with total investment of 1.3 billion USD. 
They welcomed constructive discussions to accelerate the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (AITIG) Agreement in line with the schedule reached during the 12th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in August last year. 

The review of the agreement will help facilitate trade exchange between the two sides towards the target of 100 billion USD in bilateral trade value as set by ASEAN and Indian leaders in 2012, the ministers affirmed. 

The participants hailed the recent activities of the ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC), including its 4th session on the sidelines of the 48th AEM Meeting and related meetings. 

They expressed belief that the Council will continue promoting trade exchange between India and the bloc, thus intensifying the connectivity among the regional business communities. The Vietnamese delegation to the 13th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting was led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu.-VNA

VNA

See more

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.

Rescuers on March 30 search for missing people after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

WHO seeks urgent funding for Myanmar after devastating earthquake

In its flash appeal for funds, the WHO said the high numbers of casualties and trauma injuries are at high risk of infection due to limited surgical capacity in the country, while the underlying conditions in Myanmar meant the quake is likely to intensify the risk of diseases.

Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Belgian monarchs’ state visit to open new chapter in bilateral cooperation

As a major player in the region and one of the most dynamic economies in Asia, Vietnam is an indispensable partner for Belgium. The meetings with the various Vietnamese authorities will therefore offer an excellent opportunity to further deepen and enrich this diverse partnership, according the Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha. (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Cambodia strengthens cross-border crime control

In 2024, Cambodia cracked down 197 cases relating to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, an increase of over 20% compared to the previous year. The authorities identified 523 victims and arrested 273 suspects and sent them to court, including 30 foreigners.