“We need to work together to find ways how the MGC partnership can lend its strength to the fight against the pandemic,” he said…reports Asian Lite News.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the Mekong region is of great importance for India and it is time to broaden the base of the partnership by identifying newer areas of cooperation.
Speaking at the 11th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Meeting, Jaishankar said, “For India, the Mekong region is of great importance. India seeks multi-dimensional engagement with the Mekong countries. We need to broaden the base of our partnership by identifying newer areas of cooperation.”
“We aim to promote connectivity in the region in the broadest sense of the term including not just physical but also digital, economic, and people-to-people connectivity,” he added.
Noting that the pandemic does not respect national boundaries, Jaishankar said that it is therefore necessary that the response to the pandemic is also collective and collaborative.
“We need to work together to find ways how the MGC partnership can lend its strength to the fight against the pandemic,” he said.
Jaishankar recalled that during the last ministerial meeting in Bangkok in 2019, we agreed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of MGC in a befitting manner. However, much of the celebrations, especially in physical format have been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“But I am happy to note that today will inaugurate the MGC Website and a video documentary highlighting the cultural, historical, religious, social and economic bonds that we share with each other,” he added.
The Mekong Ganga Cooperation stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties between our six countries.
“This oldest sub-regional cooperation is as much a celebration of our long and rich history of trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges as it is a vehicle to advance modern day cooperation to bring progress and prosperity to our people,” he said.
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