News Highlight
The 7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting was held on Agro-Forestry under the co-chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
Key Takeaway
- Agriculture Ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam also participated in the meeting.
- The Union Agriculture Minister emphasised mutually close regional cooperation with ASEAN to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for agricultural development in the region.
Highlights of the Meeting
- India’s Vision of keeping ASEAN
- India reiterated its vision of keeping the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the centre of India’s Act East Policy.
- It also emphasised mutually close regional cooperation with ASEAN to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for agricultural development in the region.
- Steps towards Millets Production
- Referring to the importance of millet (nutritional-cereals) as a nutritious food and the international nutritional-cereal year 2023, India urged the ASEAN member countries to support the efforts of India in increasing the production, processing, value addition and consumption of millets.
- India will promote nutritious cereal products for the health and nutrition of the people.
- Nutritious cereals help create nutrients with low resource requirements and more efficient agri-food systems.
- Implementation of Various Programs
- The progress in the implementation of various programs and activities under the Medium Term Action Plan of ASEAN-India Cooperation ( 2021-2025) was reviewed.
- Cooperation in Agriculture
- The commitment to ASEAN-India cooperation in agriculture and forestry was reaffirmed.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- About
- It is a political and economic organisation aimed primarily at promoting economic growth and regional stability among its members.
- Foundation
- It was founded in 1967 by the five South-East Asian nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
- Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999, making up to ten Member States of ASEAN.
- Current members
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- The Philippines
- Singapore
- ThailandÂ
- Vietnam.
- ASEAN Plus Three
- It is a forum that coordinates cooperation between the ASEAN and the three East Asian nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.
- ASEAN Plus Six
- The group includes ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand.Â
- ASEAN Summit
- It is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN, comprising the Head of States or Government of ASEAN Member States.
- Summit is held twice annually.
- The First ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia, in 1976.
Pic courtesy: PIB
Content Source: PIB