Swaraj to inaugurate PBD of ASEAN today in Singapore

ANI  |  Singapore 

arrived here on Sunday to inaugurate the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) of the (ASEAN) countries.

Swaraj will be holding bilateral meetings with the leaders in and interact with People of Indian Origin (PIO) delegations from countries, who are participating in the PBD, the (MEA) in a pre-departure statement said.

PIO delegations from all the countries, including ministers, eminent personalities, business and socio-political leaders will be participating in the event, it added.

The PBD of countries has been themed 'Ancient Route, New Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic ASEAN-Partnership.'

Yesterday, the inaugurated the 5th Round Table of (ASEAN) Network of Think Tanks in

Speaking at the inauguration, Swaraj said, "The 5th Round Table meeting taking place at a very important juncture as in less than three weeks from now, will host the ASEAN-commemorative summit to mark the 25 years of India-relations."

"Therefore, the discussions are timely and opportunely. It will provide useful inputs to our leaders, when they will meet on 25th January in for the summit," she added.

Swaraj urged the Think-Tanks to strengthen consultation and suggest ways to enhance maritime, commercial, educational and cultural co-operation.

"I look forward to new where both and can work together to bring development and prosperity to the region," she said.

The said it will be an honour and prestige for to host all 10 leaders as the guest of honours for the

"Their presence in on this day will place India-relations at centre stage," she said.

Swaraj, during her two-day visit to Indonesia, met with in She also addressed the Indian community in the capital city.

Earlier on Friday, and condemned all forms of terrorism at the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

"We unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms. We expressed our strong opposition to any selective approach to deal with this group of menace and called upon all the countries to stop providing state sponsorship to terrorism and prevent their territories to stop being used for establishing terrorist safe havens," Swaraj said.

The two leaders also reviewed trade, energy ties, defence cooperation and people to people links in the meeting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, January 07 2018. 06:21 IST