Manmohan Singh will, however, not attend the UN General Assembly later this month in New York where India will be represented by external affairs minister SM Krishna, official sources said.
Giving a fillip to the 'Look East' policy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will undertake a three-nation tour of Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia next month to discuss greater integration and engagement in diverse fields, particularly trade.
Singh will, however, not attend the UN General Assembly later this month in New York where India will be represented by external affairs minister SM Krishna, official sources said.
The prime minister will travel to Japan and Malaysia for bilateral visits and Vietnam for the 8th ASEAN-India Summit from October 24 to 30.
In Tokyo, civil nuclear cooperation, enhancing trade ties and UN reforms are expected to dominate the talks that Singh will have with his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan.
The two countries have already begun talks on civil nuclear cooperation and have expressed desire to conclude an agreement in this regard as soon as possible.
The two sides are also working to conclude an economic partnership agreement before Singh's visit to Tokyo amid expectations that the two-way trade will witness a 10-fold increase from $12 billion in 2008-09.
Singh and Kan are also expected to discuss ways to re-energise the G-4 grouping that is pushing for reform of the UN, particularly expansion of the Security Council and inclusion of new permanent members, the sources said.
The G-4 consists of India and Japan along with Brazil and Germany.
In Vietnamese capital Hanoi, Singh will attend the ASEAN-India Summit, whose focus would be enhancement of integration of the East Asian region with India in terms of connectivity and trade.
India has been keen on greater economic integration with East Asia and creation of a supportive regional financial architecture.
New Delhi also desires realization of the comprehensive economic partnership and the Mekong India Corridor.
The visits are crucial for India's desire to upgrade its ties with East Asia, particularly in economic sphere.
The prime minister made it clear when he told the Indian heads of missions here last month that foreign policy should be oriented towards East and Southeast Asia which were poised for a sustained growth rate in the 21st century.
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