India and ASEAN are actively engaged in negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP) agreement which is likely to be concluded by the year end. Secretary (East), External Affairs Ministry, Preeti Saran said this while addressing the inaugural business and academic session of the 9th edition of the Delhi Dialogue.
She said, the negotiators will meet shortly in Hyderabad and thrash out issues relating to telecom, health, transport and communications in a bid to tap the potential that exists in these sectors. Ms. Saran said, government accords the highest priority to cultural, people-to-people connectivity and hopes to deepen these links through the development of commerce and academic exchanges.
She laid stress on cross border trade and investment between India and ASEAN for which the government was making concerted efforts. Naina Lal Kidwai, Past President of FICCI, and CII President Shobana Kamineni were some of the other speakers during the session.