India, US, Japan and Australia for ASEAN-led architecture mechanism for Indo-Pacific

Surjit Kumar Dhal,New Delhi, June 1: India, the US, Australia and Japan on Friday collectively came out in strong support of an ASEAN-led mechanism in the regional architecture for Indo-Pacific region.

            Senior officials of the four countries, at a meeting in Bangkok, also reaffirmed the commitment towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region based on shared values and principles, the External Affairs Ministry said.

            “The participants reiterated their strong support for ASEAN-Centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms in the regional architecture for the Indo-Pacific and in this regard welcomed the initiative of ASEAN towards a common vision for the Indo-Pacific,” the MEA said.

            The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

            In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” Coalition to develop a new strategy for keeping the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

            China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region

            The meeting in Bangkok took place for consultations on regional and global issues of common interest, the MEA said.

            It said a number of other issues including connectivity and infrastructure development, regional security, counterterrorism and maritime cooperation were discussed with a view to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

            “They reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region based on shared values and principles,” it said.

            The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing.

            The ASEAN region along with India accounts for 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over USD 3.8 trillion.

             The ASEAN comprises Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Flights from Jharsuguda to Bhubaneswar, Raipur from June 5: Official

Jharsuguda: Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, will launch flight services from Veer Surendra Sai Airport (VSSA) in Odisha’s Jharsuguda to state’s capital city Bhubaneswar and Raipur in Chhattisgarh from June 5, official sources said.

The flights will operate under the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme of the Central Government.

“Alliance Air would be commencing operations from Jharsuguda connecting Bhubaneswar & Raipur on June 5, 2019,” tweeted Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The Jharsuguda-bound Alliance Air flight will depart from Bhubaneswar at 9.05 am and arrive at the VSSA at 10.10 am. The flight will leave Jharsuguda at 10.35 am towards Bhubaneswar and will land at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) at 11.40 am, an airport official said.