No substitute for Asean even as South-East Asian countries express interest in joining Brics: Singapore FM

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) was hosted to lunch by Thai DPM and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul. - MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE: Even though several South-east Asian countries have expressed interest in joining the Brics economic bloc, there is no substitute for Asean, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

“I think there is no question the key game in town in our part of the world is Asean,” he said in a media interview on Wednesday (June 26) as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Thailand.