India and Southeast Asia: Towards Security Convergence

Appendix VI: Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN–India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity

236 INDIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA: TOWARDS SECURITY CONVERGENCE Appendix VI PLAN OF ACTION TO IMPLEMENT THE ASEAN–INDIA PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, PROGRESS AND SHARED PROSPERITY 1. Political and Security Cooperation 1.1 Political 1.1.1 Foster closer cooperation and consultation between our delegations on reforming and democratising the United Nations and the institutions under the United Nations System by making them more reflective of the contemporary realities, and especially in the World Trade Organisation and other Bretton Woods institutions, so as to articulate the aspirations of the developing countries for equitable treatment and representation of their views; 1.1.2 Consult and cooperate on regional and international political and security issues of mutual interest and concern; 1.1.3 Promote norms and practices by ensuring the participation and involvement of women in consultations and peaceful settlement of disputes, particularly those reflected under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia for consultations and peaceful settlement of disputes; 1.1.4 Cooperate closely in opposing the threat of weapons of mass destruction and on disarmament issues with the objective of total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons; and 1.1.5 Strengthen the regional security dialogue and cooperation through the ASEAN Regional Forum for the maintenance of regional peace and stability. 1.2 Terrorism and other Transnational Crimes 1.2.1 Strengthen and expand effective cooperation to combat international terrorism and other transnational crimes including through the existing ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes (AMMTC); 1.2.2 Build institutional linkages for intelligence and information sharing, exchange of information, and cooperation in legal and enforcement matters; 1.2.3 Develop joint training programmes and use regional organisations for technical assistance to effectively fight terrorism and other transnational 09 India&SEA Appendix 11/11/05, 8:21 AM 236 crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, particularly of women and children, arms smuggling, cyber crimes, international economic crime and sea piracy; 1.2.4 Exchange ideas and jointly promote best standards and practices and explore ways to safeguard the sovereign rights of the parties, the common maritime boundaries, and shared maritime environment; 1.2.5 Explore developing anti-terrorism cooperation and assistance packages, covering among others, immigration controls, customs cooperation, land, air and sea safety; 1.2.6 Encourage accession to all relevant international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols and implement relevant UN resolutions on counter-terrorism; 1.2.7 Cooperate closely in opposing the threat of weapons of mass destruction especially in the context of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorists; and 1.2.8 Explore other avenues of cooperation between ASEAN and India taking into consideration the Work Programme to Implement the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crimes. 2. Economic Cooperation 2.1 Trade and Investment 2.1.1 Establish ASEAN–India Regional Trade and Investment Area (RTIA) covering trade in goods, trade in service and investment as outlined under the Framework Agreement for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation; 2.1.2 Encourage participation of trade and industry representatives in the Business Summits and trade fairs held in India and ASEAN countries with special incentives for the participation of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Viet Nam; 2.1.3 Promote and facilitate cross flows foreign direct investment into ASEAN countries and India through cooperation between investment promotion agencies, dissemination of information on investment policies, rules and procedures, and linkages between investors and local entrepreneurs; 2.1.4 Establish sectoral linkages involving business and industries to promote business interaction in specific sectors of industries; 2.1.5 Maximise the synergies for promoting trade in goods and services, as well as in investment flows between ASEAN and India, and identify barriers to trade in services, with a view to addressing them, in accordance with the level of development of each participating country; and Plan of Action to Implement Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity 237 09 India&SEA Appendix 11/11/05, 8:21 AM 237 238 INDIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA: TOWARDS SECURITY CONVERGENCE 2.1.6 Work towards establishing bilateral Agreements between Member Countries of ASEAN and India for Investment Promotion and Protection and Double Taxation Avoidance. 2.2 Customs Cooperation 2.2.1 Enhance trade facilitation by streamlining customs procedures, formalities and practices in accordance with international conventions and best practices; 2.2.2 Encourage development of on-line linkages of India and ASEAN countries with regard to Certificate of Origin...