During 1996-97, India's relations with the countries of the South East Asian region and the South Pacific continued to improve. As a validation of a conscious adoption of a "Look East" Policy, India became a full Dialogue Partner of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and participated for the first time at the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) of ASEAN in Jakarta in July 1996. India also participated for the first time in the meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) which deliberates on the security and political concerns of the Asia Pacific region.

Bilateral relations with Thailand were further strengthened. Princess Dr. Chulabhorn Mahidol, the youngest daughter of the King of Thailand, visited India from 19 November-1 December 1996 in connection with the United Nations Environ-ment Program (UNEP) Award Ceremony. Another Royal guest from Thailand was the second daughter of the King, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 21-26 December 1996. The Festival of Thailand in India timed to coincide with 50th Anniversary of Indian independence was inaugu-rated by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Vice-president Shri K R Narayanan transited through Bangkok on his way to Mongolia.

The Singapore government took the initiative in holding the first-ever-Global Indian Entrepreneurs Conference (GIEC) in June 1996 bringing together Indian and Indian origin businessmen from around the globe. Finance Minister Shri P Chidambaram was the keynote speaker at the Conference. India and Singapore held week long Anti Submarine Warfare Exercises off Visakhapatnam from 3-13 March 1996. Chief of Naval Staff of Singapore participated in the concluding function of the Exercises. Bilateral trade and investment relations with Singapore continued to grow.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad paid a state visit to India from 19-22 December 1996 to receive the 1994 Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Interna-tional Understanding. Dr. Mahathir also delivered the First India-ASEAN Lecture instituted under the Full Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN. During the official visit of the Minister of External Affairs to Malaysia on 18 and 19 August 1996 ports, power and highways were identified as three areas where Malaysian expertise can be beneficial to India.

The Second Meeting of the Indo-Brunei joint Committee was held. Though bilateral trade between the two countries is limited, the two countries are seeking ways to expand it.

President of Philippines Fidel V Ramos paid a State visit to India from 3-5 March 1997. He was accompanied by leaders of the business community in Philippines. To further acquaint Philippines' commerce and industry with reforms in India, the Indian Embassy organized two Business Seminars on the emerging opportunities in India in the new economic environment. The second Meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Business Council was held in New Delhi in September 1996.

India continued to have friendly and close relations with Indonesia. Minister of External Affairs visited Indonesia in July 1996 to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN-PMC meetings in Jakarta where India was formally admitted as member of the ARF and Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. Chief of Naval Staff attended the inauguration of the Indonesia Air Show held in Jakarta on 20 June 1996. During the World Food Summit held in Rome, Prime Minister had a meeting with the Indonesian President on 16 November 1996. The two leaders discussed means to build and expand bilateral relations and the need to strengthen India's relations with ASEAN countries in general. Indonesia agreed to India's proposal for setting up a Telemetry Tracking ground station at Biak (Kalimantan) for continuous monitoring of the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). An agreement for cooperation in the field of space science is in the final stages of negotiation. In December 1996, India and Indonesia signed a Cultural Exchange Program for the year 1997-1999 under the aegis of the India-Indonesia Cultural Agreement with a view to promoting further understanding and closer cooperation in the field of culture and education. The holding of an exclusive Indian Trade Exhibition in Jakarta in March 1996 coincided with the meeting of the Joint Business Council. FICCI opened an office in Jakarta.

India maintained very close and friendly relations with Vietnam. Prime Minister of Vietnam paid an official visit to India in March 1997. The Third Meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Working Group (JWG) was held in New Delhi on 16 and 17 January 1997 to review progress on various bilateral cooperation programs and a Work Plan for Agricultural Cooperation was signed during the JWG meeting. Chief of Naval Staff visited Vietnam in May 1996. Another Rupee credit of Rs 90 crore on soft terms was extended to Vietnam for capital goods imports from India.

India continued to have very close and warm relations with Laos. An MOU for cooperation in the field of agriculture was negotiated. Government of India pledged to provide medicines worth Rs 15 lakh to Laos as flood relief.

Relations with Cambodia remained very friendly and warm. An agreement to set up an India-Cambodia Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was finalized. First Prime Minister of Cambodia Prince Norodom Ranariddh visited Bodh Gaya, Patna on 16 December 1996 on a pilgrimage.

Relations between India and Australia continued to grow in diverse fields. Australian Foreign Minister visited India from 19-23 October 1996 to launch the Australia-India New Horizons Promotion to raise Australia's profile in India. The other prominent Australian leaders who visited India to participate in the New Horizons Program during the core period of the program (22 October-8 Novem-ber 1996) were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Minister for Employ-ment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Communications and Arts, Minister for Resources and Energy and three Deputy Premiers from Tasmania, New South Wales and Western Australia and the Leader of Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and Shadow Foreign Minister. From the Indian side Minister for Steel and Mines, Minister of Railways and Minister for Textiles visited Australia.

India-New Zealand relations continued to be friendly and cordial. Minister for Textiles visited New Zealand to inaugurate the Buyer-Seller-Meet (BSM) organized by Apparels Export Promotion Council in Auckland and to attend a meeting of the India--New Zealand joint Business Council on Wool in Wellington. Chief of Naval Staff paid a four-day goodwill visit to New Zealand.

India opened a resident Mission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG), on 12 April 1996 and the first resident High Commissioner to PNG presented his credentials on 14 May 1996. Government of India established diplomatic relations with Micronesia on 29 November 1996 and also decided to establish diplomatic relations with Marshal Islands. Efforts were made to strengthen and maintain India's friendly relations with other Pacific Island countries.

Government of India closely followed developments in Fiji as well as the process of constitutional reforms, which has been set in motion. The Government expressed the hope that the implementation of the Constitution Review Commission's recommenda-tions would be done in a manner that meets the expectations of the Fijians of Indian origin. Government of India has consistently taken the stand that the 1990 racially biased constitution should be reviewed to arrive at a constitutional arrangement that is, democratic, just, non-discriminatory and acceptable to all the communities living in Fiji.