Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves for Cambodia tomorrow to attend the ASEAN and East Asia Summits. He is expected to pitch for increased trade and investment between India and ASEAN countries.

The Prime Minister is also expected to update the ASEAN leaders on the progress made on revival of the centre of learning at Nalanda, Bihar. India and ASEAN are holding negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment and are keen to conclude these before the Summit on November 19. The two sides have already signed FTA in Goods.

The Prime Minister, who was initially scheduled to visit Japan also before it was cancelled, will be in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh for three days. The three-day visit to Japan from November 15 was cancelled just a day ahead in view of sudden political developments there.

AIR Correspondent reports that the trade between India and ASEAN countries has been increasing at rapid pace over last few years and has already crossed the USD 70 billion target set for 2012. It currently stands at USD 79 billion. India's trade with ASEAN was over USD 50 billion in 2011-12 after a 30 per cent jump over the previous financial year.

Dr Singh is also expected to meet leaders of several countries. On the sidelines of the ASEAN and EAS Summits, he is expected to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao besides leaders of some other countries.