New Delhi, Oct. 22 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will undertake a three-day visit of Thailand from Friday (October 23).

While in Thai capital Bangkok, he will attend the ten-nation ASEAN Summit and the 16-nation East Asia Summit. India is hoping to take its Look East policy to another level in terms of cooperation and economic growth during the trip.

Dr.Singh will also take part in the Seventh India-ASEAN Summit On Saturday at the seaside resort of Hua Hin, which is about 200 kilometers from Bangkok.

Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs N. Ravi and other senior officials will accompany the Prime Minister on the visit.

In August this year, India and ASEAN signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both are looking to ink a similar pact in the field of services and investment, Ravi told reporters ahead of the visit.

A significant aspect of the visit will be Dr. Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the two summits. With both countries engaged in a verbal stand-off on key geo-political and terroritorial issues, the outcome of the engagement of the heads of government is being looked at with added interest.

India is a dialogue partner at ASEAN, whose members include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Brunei.

The East Asia summit comprises ten nations, including heavyweights China, Japan,South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. It is the fourth time that this informal grouping will be meeting in Bangkok. (ANI)