Hanoi: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj directed diplomats to ‘act east’ and not just ‘look east’ as her visit to Vietnam came to an end on Tuesday.
She discussed the foreign policy initiatives under the new BJP-led government with India’s 15 ‘heads of mission’ in South East and East Asia.
She deliberated on the security structure in the strategically-important region, Chinese presence and the scope of India’s growth, besides the US approach to the region.Â
India is keen to boost its ties in the region especially with ASEAN. Stressing on the need for strong connectivity within ASEAN, Swaraj has said that there is a need to look at a more “functional visa regime” in the grouping.Â
Swaraj said the new government in India was a strong believer in a participative approach to bring together the members of the strategic community, the Industry, the experts and professionals and the youth in India and ASEAN countries to further the common agenda of development, progress and prosperity.Â
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