India Calls for Closer Relations with Asean

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Indian PM Manmohan Singh told a summit of Southeast Asian leaders on Thursday that his nation attached the “highest priority” to its relations with their region. Singh’s address to a gathering in New Delhi between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was part of his nation’s “Look East” policy, seen as a counter to China’s influence in the region. As part of that policy, Singh visited Burma in May and has deepened ties with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia. He said he hoped India-Asean trade would exceed US $100 billion by 2015 and $200 billion by 2022.—AP