India-ASEAN Youth Summit

The India-ASEAN Youth Summit was held in Bhopal recently. The event was organised by Indian Foreign Ministry, Madhya Pradesh government and India Foundation.

It aptly reflects the close cultural and civilizational links that India and South East Asia have enjoyed over two millennia.

Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated this five day Summit.

The exercise marked the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership in the ongoing year and also the commemorative year’s theme of “Shared Values, Common Destiny”.

Madhya Pradesh has been chosen for this event as the Sanchi stupa here strengthens the state’s cultural affiliation with the ASEAN countries.

Taking into account the “Act East Policy” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the event becomes even more significant.

Over 175 delegations of youths from Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and India attended the Summit.

ASEAN is the association of South-East Asian nations and consists of 10 countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

ASEAN was formed on August 8, 1967. ASEAN Secretariatis located in Jakarta, Indonesia. Le Luong Minh is the current Secretary-General of ASEAN.