NEW DELHI: South Asian nations extended their greetings to Asean in conjunction with the regional bloc’s 58th anniversary on Friday (Aug 8).
Pakistan has described Asean as a "shining example" of regional cooperation and Islamabad seeks to deepen its relations with the group for a stronger and more connected Asia Pacific region.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in congratulating Asean and its member states on social media platform X on Friday said: "Asean stands as a shining example of regional cooperation, dialogue and shared prosperity. Its journey over the decades has inspired hope for a peaceful and inclusive international order."
Pakistan has been a sectoral dialogue partner of the 10-member organisation since 1993.
India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who greeted Asean on the group's 58th anniversary, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to further strengthen its partnership with Asean.
"As major demographies with strong economic, civilisational and people-to-people connects, India and Asean have common aspirations and a shared vision for progress and prosperity," the minister said on X.
Meanwhile, a number of events were organised in Asian capitals to mark the Asean anniversary.
The High Commission of Malaysia in Sri Lanka hosted a dinner with the Asean heads of mission to celebrate the occasion in Colombo on Friday.
Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra joined it as the guest of honour.
The Asean Dhaka Committee, comprising the Asean heads of mission in Bangladesh, held a celebration on Thursday.
Bangladesh's Culture Ministry Advisor Mustafa Sarwar Farooki was the chief guest at the event held at the Royal Thai Embassy.
Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman in his remarks highlighted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, Asean Community Vision 2045 and promoted the upcoming 47th Asean Summit.
The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad organised a discussion titled "Pakistan and Asean: Partners in Peace, Progress, and Regional Prosperity" in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Asean Committee in Islamabad on Thursday.
Asean was formed on Aug 8, 1967 and consists of 10 members - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Bernama
