It is reported that Mr Kamal Nath Commerce & Industry Minister would be representing the Prime Minister at the 7th ASEAN-India Summit and the 4th East Asia Summit scheduled to be held during April 11th to 12 April 2009 in Thailand.

These Summits are held annually by the Association of South East Nations and attended by Heads of State/Government of the 10 ASEAN member countries and its dialogue partners such as India, China, Japan, Korea, etc.

A notable feature of the East Asia Summit comprising Leaders of ASEAN, India, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand this time would be a focus session with Heads of International Agencies such as World Bank, IMF, ADB, etc.

India would be looking forward to progress in various cooperation initiatives with ASEAN including Free Trade Agreement, Open Skies Policy, Science & Technology Fund, Tourism etc. India would also take up matters related to Energy, Environment, Disaster Mitigation, Economic Partnership Study, etc in the meeting of the 16 member East Asia Summit.