PHL envoy to convene ASEAN-India body soon

After assuming the chairmanship of the body, the Philippines expects to convene soon the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-New Delhi Committee (ANDC) to take up key issues between the ASEAN and India. Philippine Ambassador to India Ronald Allarey will convene the first ANDC meeting to discuss important issues, which were endorsed by outgoing chair Malaysia. “These issues include the ASEAN Heads of Mission visit to Mizoram province in northeast India, visit to Indian institutions such as the O.P. Jindal Global University and Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore," the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release posted on its website. The Philippines assumed chairmanship of the ANDC last Jan. 18, after the term of Malaysia's High Commissioner Tan Seng Sun had ended. Under the Philippines' chairmanship, the embassy said the ANDC will seek to undertake the following initiatives: — The collective call of ASEAN heads of mission on the Minister of External Affairs, the Foreign Secretary, and other high officials of the Indian government; — The preparation of cultural events for ASEAN Day in August; and — The academic forum on Philippine-India and ASEAN-India relations. The DFA noted the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ANDC coincides with the inaugural of the Philippines-India Joint Commission meeting, just in time for the coming ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave on March 2-6. The ASEAN is currently chaired by Indonesia. Last Jan. 25, Allarey participated in the Business Meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The following day, Allarey also graced the 62nd Republic Day Parade of India, which had as its guest of honor President Yudhoyono. — MRT/JE, GMA News