VP Naidu leads India at 12th ASEM Summit

Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu led the Indian delegation at the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit that was held in Belgium over October 18-19 and attended by 51 nations. The Asia–Europe Meeting is an intercontinental political dialogue forum to enhance relations and various forms of cooperation between its partners. The bi-annual summit is seen as the highest platform for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe in the areas of trade, investment, security and tourism. At the latest edition of the summit, a wide range of issues from climate change to terrorism were discussed.

The theme of the ASEM Summit was ‘Global Partners for Global Challenges’. On the summit sidelines, VP Naidu held bilateral talks with heads of states and governments of Belgium, Austria, Portugal and Switzerland. This was the first multi-lateral summit the Vice President attended after assuming office in August 2017. During his visit, He also addressed the Indian diaspora as part of the Government’s improved outreach programme, besides attending a plenary session with critical stakeholders involved in trade and exchanges. At the plenary, VP Naidu focused on inclusive growth and sustainable connectivity.

At the event, the Indian delegation and global partners discussed resolution to challenges facing world peace and security, financial integrity and environmental protection. Last year, India hosted the 14th annual India-EU summit, which ushered in a stronger and more decisive era of bilateral ties. While annual India-EU trade in goods and services is estimated at around EUR 100 billion, the total investment stock of European companies in India was valued at EUR51.2 billion in 2015. Driven by strong growth metrics, there are 6,000 European companies operating in India, employing 1.2 million directly and 5 indirectly.