New Delhi, Nov 21: Seeking to give a fresh impetus
to India's "Look East" policy, President Pratibha Patil will
visit Vietnam and Indonesia next week to further enhance
bilateral ties with them.
"This visit essentially reaffirms India commitment to
enhance our engagement with these countries, our close friends
within ASEAN fraternity. It is part of our Look East policy
initiative," Secretary (East) N Ravi told reporters here.
He said that the President during her 10-day visit would
hold extensive delegation-level talks with the leadership of
these countries which have seen impressive growth rates.
"Our engagement with these two countries is very old.
This visit would give us an opportunity to assess the present
state of relations in all facets -- political, economic and
cultural," Ravi said adding the visits would also help the
countries to enhance ties in trade and investment.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 00:00