Jakarta (VNA) – A ceremony was co-organised inJakarta, Indonesia, on November in celebration of 25-year ties between ASEAN andIndia by Vietnamese and Indian delegations to ASEAN.

Vietnam is the member state coordinating ASEAN’s relationswith India for 2015 - 2018.

Speaking at the event, head of the Vietnamese delegation AmbassadorNguyen Hoanh Nam thanked India’s support for ASEAN development process,particularly the building of the ASEAN Community and implementation of jointcommitments.

The diplomat said he believes the upcoming summitcelebrating the 25-year dialogue partnership between the sides slated forJanuary next year in New Delhi, India will put forth key decisions for the tiesto thrive further toward effectiveness.

Indian Ambassador to ASEAN Suresh K. Reddy stressed ASEAN isan important partner of his country, adding that the partnership hasexperienced both difficulties and success in more than two decades of cooperation.

The diplomat said the joint work covers many sectors,including economics, science-technology, infrastructure development, andeducation.

He mentioned India offering training courses for Laos,Vietnam and Cambodia.

He thanked the Vietnamese people and Government, especiallythe Foreign Ministry, for their contributions to fostering ASEAN – Indiarelations, particularly during the 2015 – 2018 period.

ASEAN and India established relations in 1992, with 30dialogue mechanisms set up so far, including summits and ministerial-levelmeetings.

Annual bilateral trade is estimated at between 65 and 76 billion USD. ASEAN iscurrently the fourth biggest trade partner of India, while India is ranked 7thamong ASEAN top trade partner. -VNA