Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Join ASEAN now

Sir, — Due to bilateral political problems among South Asian countries, SAARC has lost its credibility. If there is any example of successful regional cooperation after the European Union, it is certainly ASEAN.

It is in India's interest to become a complete member of ASEAN rather than push diplomatically for a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council.

Individual relations with ASEAN members too need to be improved. With a total population of 500 million people, the ASEAN offers a huge market for Indian goods due to lower bilateral tariff barriers. Small Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will dismantle all tariffs within 10 years.

A permanent cell for cooperation with ASEAN should be established under the Commerce Ministry and as a goodwill gesture, India should make a unilateral offer to reduce tariffs for ASEAN imports.

Sushil Mehra,

Bangalore

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