Aiming at further strengthening ties with ASEAN countries, President Pratibha Patil will embark on a two-nation 10-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia tomorrow.
Aiming at further strengthening ties with ASEAN countries, President Pratibha Patil will embark on a two-nation 10-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia tomorrow during which some important agreements are expected to be signed, including those in the field of culture.
India has "warm and cordial relations" with Laos and Cambodia, two important countries in the ASEAN region, who are supportive of India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, secretary (East) in the ministry of external affairs, Vijaya Latha Reddy told reporters.
Patil will be accompanied by minister for tribal affairs Kantilal Bhuria and a high-level business and official delegation on the tour.
The president's visit to Cambodia is of great significance given the upcoming ASEAN-related meetings in 2011 and 2012 to be held there, including the ASEAN business meeting in next April, she said, adding Cambodia is also the country coordinator for India-ASEAN engagements.
Reddy said some important agreements and announcements related to cultural exchange and accounts and audits were expected to be inked during the state visit but declined to share details.
Patil's visit will start from Laos where she will be staying till September 13. It would be Patil's first visit to Laos and only the second by an Indian president since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Laos in 1954 to give a boost to long-standing cultural ties between the two countries.
Apart from the country's capital Vientiane where she will meet president Choummaly Sayasone, Patil will also travel to Luang Prabang.
Patil will have discussions with president Sayasone, prime minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and president of the country's National Assembly.
Patil will travel to Cambodia (September 13 - 18) at the invitation of Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.
During her visit, other than the capital Phnom Penh, Patil would be travelling with the delegation to Siem Reap where the world famous temples of Angkor Vat are located.
"Cambodia is an important partner of India among the ASEAN countries. Patil's visit to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap will provide an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen multi-faceted bilateral ties including commercial and investment relations," the ministry officials said.
Patil's visit to these two countries is aimed at reaffirming India's pursuit of a closer and enduring partnership with countries of ASEAN region as part of its Look-East policy.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}