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Raje sets out to convince 3 ASEAN countries of India's P-o-V

Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhara Raje left New Delhi last night on a visit to three ASEAN countries as part of India's efforts to explain to friendly countries the reasons for conducting nuclear tests.

An official spokesman at the external affairs ministry said Raje would visit the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore during her five-day trip.

She would first go to Manila, followed by visits to Hanoi and Singapore.

India has always attached significance to its relations with members of the ASEAN, the regional grouping which New Delhi joined as a full dialogue partner in 1996.

Raje's visit is being considered significant since the ASEAN countries are to hold their post-ministerial conference from July 27 to 29. The Philippines is the current chairman of the ASEAN while Vietnam will be its next head. Singapore is the country coordinator for India in the dialogue with the ASEAN countries.

UNI

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