New Delhi. As the economic relationship between the Association of Southeast Asia
Nations and India grows, it is imperative that both sides address the issues of
food and energy security, a senior Indonesian diplomat has said in Indian
capital.
I Gusti Agung Wesaka Putra, the
director general of Asean cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, said that as Asean-India relations reach a strategic level, the
challenges of food and energy security should be high on the agenda, in
addition to enhancing economic collaboration.
“On the question of food and
energy security, Indonesia continues its calls for closer and concrete
collaboration between Asean and India,” I Gusti said during the Delhi Dialogue
V on Tuesday.
The Delhi Dialogue is an annual
conference hosted by the Indian government that focuses on deepening the relationship
between Asean and India.
The diplomat reminded leaders
from both Asean and India that achieving food and energy security would be one
of the most important and difficult challenges of the global community.
“As the global demand for food
and energy continues to rise, our region, as one of the most populous in the
world, will have to address these imminent challenges with immediate action,” I
Gusti said.
“We deemed it necessary for
Asean-India to identify and implement tangible projects on food and energy
security.”
India is self-sustaining in rice,
while Indonesia must import a large amount of grains to meet domestic demand.
But India struggles to alleviate hunger, as poor distribution, among other
problems, left 18 percent of the population, some 217 million people,
undernourished from 2010 to 2012, according to the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization. The FAO reported that 9 percent of Indonesians — 21
million people — were undernourished during the same period.
On the topic of energy security,
India is one of the few countries that harnesses nuclear energy for
electricity, a feat some in Indonesia hope to accomplish.
I Gusti asked India to share its
expertise on digital connectivity with Asean countries, so that economic
collaboration between them can be accelerated. He added that cooperation
between Asean and India should be enhanced before the Asean Economic Community
begins in 2015.
Salman Khurshid, the Indian
cabinet minister of external affairs, said that his country is willing to
cooperate with Asean in solving problems in the region.
“Asean and India are and will
remain natural partners in defining their perspectives and addressing their
common requirements of economic growth and prosperity,” Khurshid said.
Connectivity with Asean —
geographical, institutional and people-to-people — is a strategic priority for
India, he said.
“India and Asean member countries
share a vision of a peaceful, prosperous and resurgent Asia, which contributes
to global peace and security,” Khurshid added.
Trade between Asean and India
stood at $79.9 billion last year, up 37 percent on a year earlier. The total
exceeded the $70 billion target set by leaders from both India and Asean
countries. Asean and Indian leaders declared their countries’ commitment to
achieve $100 billion in trade by 2015.
Tito Summa Siahaan
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Health care and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN 's area. We are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment