The Prime Minister said that India and ASEAN had already achieved the bilateral trade target of US $ 30 billion that was set for 2007. Dr Singh was speaking at the sixth India-ASEAN summit here on Wednesday.

He said the exports of ASEAN countries to India have grown at a phenomenal rate of over 65 per cent last year. “India is a willing partner in the integration of our economies and is committed to free trade,” he added.

The Prime Minister also  expressed satisfaction over progress in enhancing connectivity. He pointed out that there were over 215 direct and indirect flights between India and Singapore, 115 flights with Thailand and 50 with Malaysia.

“But we seek much more from our Open Skies Policy with the ASEAN. We are also keen to join the Open Skies regime amongst the ASEAN countries, when it is finalised,” he added. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath met his ASEAN counterparts at the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Summit here and made a fresh attempt to end the impasse over the negotiations on the AIFTA.

Commerce Secretary G K Pillai told media-persons that the delay in finalising the India-ASEAN FTA was mainly caused by differences over duty cuts on refined and crude palm oil, pepper, tea and coffee.

PM meets premiers
Singapore, DHNS: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao met in Singapore on Wednesday. “Premier Wen was forthcoming and supportive of international energy cooperation with India,” Navtez Sarna, the spokesman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, told media-persons after the meeting.
The two Prime Ministers discussed opportunities for furthering the cooperation in regional and multilateral forums on global issues like climate change and energy security.

Dr Singh also had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Yasuo Fukuda, on Wednesday. The duo agreed to strengthen their cooperation in regional and multilateral forums on important issues like climate change and UN Security Council reforms.