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September 7, 2007
Admit India to make APEC Inclusive: Malaysian Expert

Kuala Lumpur
India should be among the nations admitted to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to make the regional grouping "truly inclusive", says former Malaysian diplomat Deva Mohammed Ridzam.

Next week's APEC Leaders' Summit in Sydney should also admit Cambodia, Laos and others through a selective process to synergise cooperation among the nations of the Asian region, Ridzam, who has been Malaysia envoy to the EU, wrote Friday in The New Straits Times.

Seven out of 11 members of the regional grouping have recommended India's inclusion.

Ridzam has observed that the basic agenda of APEC, of debating regional issues and removing trade barriers, has been "hijacked" by the US and its allies, particularly Australia, and it is time to re-emphasise its original goals.

"It is time to abandon old thinking. It would be probably wiser for the US to be part of the ongoing integration process, and not rely on its allies in the region to skew developments in East Asia," Ridzam said.

He also endorsed the Malaysian initiative of hosting the December 2005 Summit of Asean-plus three (APT), where India was invited along with Australia and New Zealand.

"Leaders at Sydney ought to first seize the opportunity to bring APEC back to its original objectives," he said. 

IANS | September 7, 2007 

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