New Delhi [India], April 8 (ANI): The third edition of the ASEAN-India Artists Camp was organized in Shillong by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Seher under the theme 'Echoes of Ramayana: Artistic Journeys Across ASEAN and India.' The Camp was launched on March 29 in New Delhi and held in Shillong from April 1 to 7, as noted by the MEA in a statement.

As per the MEA, the camp was aimed at fostering cultural exchange between India and ASEAN Member States.

Significantly, the camp was organised to mark a decade of the Act East Policy and the year 2025 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.

Notably, the Camp featured artworks of 21 visual artists, specifically painters from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste and India. The artists also participated in activities including public artwork, lectures and demonstrations, workshops, interaction with artists from other fields and with students, the MEA observed in its statement.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita addressed the Closing Ceremony of the Artists' Camp on April 7 in Shillong and expressed his appreciation to participants for their presence. The Minister also highlighted the shared values between India and the ASEAN and common aspirations.

In a post on X, MoS Margherita also shared the details.

He said, 'Addressed the Closing Ceremony of 3rd ASEAN-India Artists' Camp in Shillong, Meghalaya today. Also witnessed the artworks of 21 artists from @ASEANand India based on the theme 'Echoes of Ramayana: Artistic Journeys Across ASEAN and India'.

https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1909253904367342032

The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises of Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. India's focus on a strengthened and multi-faceted relationship with ASEAN is an outcome of the significant changes in the world's political and economic scenario since the early 1990s and India's own march towards economic liberalisation, the MEA noted in an earlier statement.

India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our foreign policy and the foundation of Act East Policy, the MEA added. (ANI)