Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, recently delivered a lecture at Nalanda University in India, focusing on “The Future of ASEAN” amidst the evolving strategic landscape. Dr. Kao highlighted ASEAN’s enduring relevance and resilience, emphasising ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as guiding principles for regional engagement.
At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of India, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, paid a working visit to India on 12-15 February 2024. In addition to his visit to the Nalanda University, Dr. Kao engaged in various discussions to bolster the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Noteworthy points included India’s commitment to ASEAN’s peace and stability and the significant economic ties between the two regions, with trade and investment continuing to flourish.
Discussions also covered the potential for deeper cooperation in tourism, cybersecurity, digital economy, agriculture, and education. Both sides recognised the importance of diversifying supply chains and leveraging digital technology to enhance economic resilience.
Dr. Kao stressed the importance of collaborative initiatives to address common challenges, such as attaining sustainable development goals. He also expressed gratitude for India’s support in the education sector, mainly through scholarships at Nalanda University, one of India’s oldest learning institutions that was reopened in 2007. Each academic year, 20 scholarships are available for students from ASEAN Member States to pursue Master’s programmes at Nalanda University.
Throughout the visit, a shared commitment was to elevate the ASEAN-India partnership further, focusing on meaningful and mutually beneficial collaboration. Dr. Kao expressed appreciation for India’s hospitality and the conducive environment for productive discussions, affirming the dedication to strengthening ties between ASEAN and India.
The full highlights of the visit can be downloaded here: https://asean.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/02/Highlights-of-the-Working-Visit-of-ASG-to- India-final-1.pdf
