Fourth edition of Delhi Dialogue to begin today

New Delhi, Feb 13 (ANI): The fourth edition of Delhi Dialogue organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs with select partners since 2009 will take place on February 13 and 14 in New Delhi.

The theme for this year is "India and ASEAN: Partners for Peace, Progress and Stability".

The Ministry of External Affairs will be organizing this in partnership with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Delhi Dialogue IV is being organized against the backdrop of an important milestone in the ASEAN-India relationship. 2012 marks 20 years of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership and 10 years of Summit level partnership.

Political leaders, policy makers, senior officials, diplomats, business leaders, think tanks and academics from both sides would be participating in the discussions spread over two days. All the ten ASEAN countries have sent delegations or are participating in the form of speakers and panelists in DD-IV.

Panelists also include speakers from various prominent think-tanks in the region, including Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore; the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace; Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies; Institute of Security and International Studies, Thailand; Institute of Foreign Affairs, Laos and Institute of Strategic and International Studies, Malaysia among others.

The Dialogue has been divided into four thematic sessions, which include discussion on prospects and challenges on economic integration, non-traditional security challenges and response strategies, evolving security architecture in Asia Pacific, and building of knowledge and science networks.

The event will be inaugurated by the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Cambodia Hor Namhong; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Senator A. Kohilan Pillay; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from Singapore Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad; the Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar Dr. Myo Myint; and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Phuong Nga would address the inaugural session of Delhi Dialogue IV.

Secretary General of ASEAN would be represented by the Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs from ASEAN Bagas Hapsoro.

Recognising the need for greater engagement with the ASEAN region, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) supported the inaugural Delhi Dialogue I, in 2009, which was organized by the FICCI and the SAEA Group Research (SAEA) with the institutional support of esteemed Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) and Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), as an international conference to chart the issues and dynamics facing the Asia Pacific Region for leaders and business investors.

Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will be giving the valedictory address on the evening of February 14. (ANI)