Negotiations on regional comprehensive economic partnership are being launched in the East Asia summit, EAS that is in progress in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our correspondent covering the summit reports Maritime security will figure prominently in the Summit. This issue was strongly taken up by ASEAN leaders in the ASEAN summit. Ten Southeast Asian nations have agreed on a code of conduct to Prevent armed clashes over the South China Sea. The code spells out rules governing maritime rights and navigation in the Sea. India favours a code of conduct in the sea lanes to ensure peace and Security. EAS will also
discuss cooperation in energy, education and disaster management apart
from other regional and international issues.
Ahead of the East Asia Summit, Prime Minister met the Prime Minister Noda of Japan at the 'Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. He informed Dr. Singh, Japan will announce 2.26 billion dollar loans under Official Development Assistance for the second phase of the Delhi Mumbai Rail Corridor project. In the course of the discussion, PM Noda also
mentioned Japanese interest in continuing the consultation on the high
speed railways .Official sources said Dr.Singh and PM Noda had a discussion on regional and international issues during the Gala Dinner hosted by Cambodian Prime Minister last night. The discussions today also, focused on bilateral issues. PM Noda expressed happiness at being able to meet PM to underline the close Strategic and Global
Partnership between the two countries. He said that he wanted to discuss the next steps forward in the relationship since they could not meet in Tokyo for the Annual Summit due to domestic developments in Japan. He emphasised on the political and defence dialogue, the
ongoing cooperation between the navies and coast guards. Sources said
Prime Minister welcomed the ongoing projects under the ODA, but emphasized that India's priority is investment by Japanese business in infrastructure projects.
Both the Prime Ministers expressed happiness on the signing of the MoU on Rare Earths and the Agreement on Social Security signed on 16 November in Tokyo.
In his meeting with the premier of Brunei the two countries discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector. Issues including information technology, energy, disaster
management and human resource development came up for discussion. Both the leaders pledged to take the bilateral cooperation to greater
heights.