AMN
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said that India’s relation with ASEAN is of love. Addressing the concluding session of the India ASEAN Youth Summit in Bhopal, she said that Ramayana and Buddhism connect India and ASEAN countries.
Ms Swaraj said that the message of Lord Buddha is as relevant today as it was years ago. She said that there is no higher bliss than peace. Calling upon the participants to work for development and peace, Ms. Swaraj said that the youth have immense transformation power, and are agents of change.
Addressing the function, Madhya Pradesh Governor O P Kohli said that ASEAN countries are central to India’s Act East policy. Our correspondent reports that the summit adopted the Bhopal declaration.
The Bhopal Declaration supports people to people contacts and accessibility between India and ASEAN countries. It also advocates establishment of a network of young entrepreneurs in India and ASEAN so that they share best practices to build their capacities and skills to complete in the global market place. Over 175 participants from 11 countries including India attended the five day summit. The summit was organized by India Foundation, External Affairs Ministry and Madhya Pradesh government.