Trade relations between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries are likely to see a phenomenal growth in the coming days, former Thailand PM Thaksin Shinawatra said on Friday.
Inaugurating the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit - on the theme
What's Next? - Thaksin, a business czar living in a self imposed exile in Dubai since being ousted from power in 2006, said nothing can stop the Indo-ASEAN block from becoming a trading force to reckon with.
"People of India and the 10-member countries of ASEAN are natural trading partners due to their strong historical and cultural links which date back to thousands of years," Thaksin said.
He rejected the contention that the wave of anti-corruption protests across the globe had turned the mood anti-business in this part of the world, which could upset the calculations in India and ASEAN countries. "In every country, there are two societies - one for the rich and the other for poor. Your (government's) policies should benefit both. You cannot have a house with bad foundation, it is bound to collapse."
Thaksin strongly advocated a joint effort from the business leaders and governments of the region for a decisive leap forward in the Indo-ASEAN trade relations.