India calls for strong maritime connectivity with ASEAN

Wadhwa also said a free trade agreement (FTA) with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on services and investments would be ready for inking during the meeting of their economic ministers later this year. An FTA with the ASEAN on trade and goods was inked in 2009.

“Maritime connectivity can be strengthened further between India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and production chains established from the Mekong region to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Mumbai-Bangaluru-Chennai Industrial Corridor...

“We have also proposed an Open Sky Policy on Cargo on a quid pro quo basis to the ASEAN. This would help to increase trade, especially in perishable commodities,” he said.