Calling for cooperation among Asia Pacific countries to tackle the global economic uncertainty, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the vast growth potential of India and these nations can be realised only by inculcating a “collective temper”.
Addressing the 8th East Asia Summit here, Dr. Singh said the meeting is taking place at a time “when the need for collective action, cooperation and collaboration in the Asia Pacific region has never been felt more acutely.”
“Global economic uncertainty and political turmoil in other parts of the world have impacted countries in our region equally.
“In addition, this vast region faces challenges arising not only from its diversity, but also from differences.
Clearly, the potential of unprecedented prosperity for our peoples can be realised only by inculcating a cooperative temper,” the Prime Minister said.
“The East Asia Summit is a forum that is, in my view, ideally placed to help us realise our common goals for advancing security and prosperity in a cooperative framework,” he added.
The EAS is a forum for cooperation among the ten ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) nations and its partner countries — Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US.
The ten ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
India for greater economic ties with Japan, Australia
On the sidelines of the ASEAN and East Asia Summits, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday discussed various economic issues and other areas of cooperation with his counterparts in Australia and Japan.
During his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Dr. Singh is believed to have discussed a wide range of issues including sale of uranium to India, sources said.
With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also present, Dr. Singh is believed to have discussed various issues including economic cooperation.
