Saturday, September 2 2006 12:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With an aim of giving a push to the 'Look East' policy, the Government yesterday (Sept 1, 2006) outlined a 10-point programme to take relations with countries of East Asia and South East Asia to new heights.

The programme was spelt out by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed while addressing Indian envoys in 20 countries of East Asia and South East Asia here.

Ahamed told the envoys that they should vigorously seek greater political and economic convergence with these countries, particularly China, and work for regional and bilateral Free Trade Area (FTA) agreements.

The relations with China need to be managed in a positive manner, he told the meeting.

The envoys were asked to work for strengthening ties with ASEAN countries as per the vision enunciated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos in 2004.

Noting that the East Asia and South East Asia was witnessing an economic resurgence, the minister said the economic reforms and liberalisation being pursued in the country should help in convergence of the relations.

The envoys will be holding deliberations for four days from today and discuss ways to lend impetus to the country's relations with these nations.