Indian Prime Minister Urges Beefed Up Linkages With Asia-Pacific
"The trends of the last decade indicate that this new century will be dominated by the power of technology and a globalized economic system," Vajpayee told Singapore top leaders, dignitaries and Indian businessmen during a lecture organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian studies.
He urged "a web of cooperative arrangements" as the global socioeconomic center of gravity shifts to Asia.
"Ethno-nationalist violence and terrorism fed by extremist are one set of impeding factors, which need to be suppressed and eradicated," said Vajpayee, wrapping up a three-day official visit to the city-state.
Widening income disparities and the digital divide pose the other daunting challenges, he added.
If the 21st century "is to be the century of Asia, it devolves upon the democracies of our region to take the lead in making it happen," DPA quoted Vajpayee as saying.
He said India is looking forward to a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote "creative interlinkages."
ASEAN groups Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma).
"The current global economic slowdown should also exhort us to more actively explore avenues for generating and meeting demand on a regional basis, so that we are cushioned against the impact of saturation of external markets," he said.
Stressing the necessity for cooperating rather than duplicating capacities or undercutting each other, Vajpayee proposed exploring a linkup between complimentary it capabilities.
Vajpayee and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong agreed on Monday to set up a study group to look into establishing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries.
The proposed EPA would not only focus on trade in goods but also cover customs cooperation, intellectual property and financial sector links.