IMPHAL, December 15: The ASEAN-India Car Rally, 2012 in commemoration
of the 20th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership and the
10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India summit level partnership reached
Imphal this noon at around 1pm.
The rally participated by 31 cars and including 116 participants
arrived into the state capital amidst a warm welcome from the locals
including school students who stood along the route.
The participants of the car rally were from 10 countries including
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mayanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The state government led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his
council of Ministers also held a reception function at the Kangla fort.
According to a DIPR release, earlier in the morning, a team led by
Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Parliamentary
Secretary (IPR) K Megachnadra and MLA DK Korungthang received the Car
Rally at Moreh on crossing from Myanmar.
The rally was flagged off from Yogjakarta Palace Square, Yogjakarta,
Indonesia on November 26, 2012 and after covering about 7000 kms through
8 ASEAN countries it reached Manipur today, the release said.
Meanwhile, speaking at the reception function, state Chief Minister O
Ibobi Singh said, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome the
participants of the Rally to my State of Manipur”.
He said, “I am informed that 2012 is the 20th Anniversary of the
ASEAN-India dialogue partnership and the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-India
Summit-level partnership. I also understand that the Govt. of India is
hosting the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit at New Delhi from 20 to 21
December, 2012 under the theme `ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and
Shared Prosperity`.
He said, “The Summit is expected to adopt the `ASEAN-India Vision
Statement 2020`, which would chart the future direction of ASEAN-India
relations”.
The CM said, “Enhancing relations with ASEAN has been central to
India`s “Look East Policy” and, we are happy to note that there has been
steady progress in the ASEAN-India relations since the policy was
initiated in 1991”.
“The ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 was flagged-off from Yogjakarta in Indonesia”.
“Most particpants may not be aware that Manipur and its people have
had a long historical and close cultural relationship with the most
South East Asian countries. Ethnically and culturally, we have a lot in
common. I am sure you feel at home when you are in Manipur”, he said.
He also said that the state is located on the Asian Highways No.1 and
N02, and is India`s Gateway to South East Asia connecting the cities of
East Asia, namely, Tokyo and Bali to the cities in West in Turkey and
Iraq.
Manipur is strategically located on the Trilateral Highway connecting
India, Myanmar and Thailand through Moreh in Manipur via Mandalay in
Myanmar to Mae Sot in Thailand, he continued.
He further expressed that with active initiative of our Ministry of
External Affairs and co-operation of ASEAN countries, road connectivity
between Manipur end South East Asia is improving with the Indo-Myanmar
Friendship Road connecting Tamu and Kalemyo in neighbouring Myanmar.
He added that under the dynamic leadership of AICC president Sonia
Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, further improvement of road
connectivity between Kalewa to Monywa in Myanmar will happen in the
next couple of years.
“We are also doing our part to improve the National Highway in our state from Moreh to Mao”, he said.
The CM also expressed that besides road connectivity, Imphal City is
expected to have rail connectivity by 201 6 which will become the
backbone of the Trans-Asian Railway Network.
He also added that the Airports Authority of India has initiated work
on upgrading Imphal Airport to international standards within the 12th
Plan period.
“We expect Imphal to become hub for international flights to and from
ASEAN countries and thus open up new opportunities for cultural and
sports exchanges, trade, tourism and business”, he said.
“I am given to understand that an Agreement, for introduction of a
bus service between Imphal and Mandalay, is expected to be signed
between the Government of India and the Government of the Union of
Myanmar during the forthcoming visit of the President of Myanmar to New
Delhi early next year”, he said.
Later the state Chief Minister handed mementos of Kangla Sha to the
leaders of the different teams representing their country in the
ASEAN-India car rally
Cultural programmes were also showcases during the function.