The ASEAN-India Car Rally has officially come to an end after a journey of about 8,000 km in a time period of three weeks. The event was one of the most talked about in the circuit, marking the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in the year 2012. The main motto of the rally is the manifestation of India’s close association with ASEAN, which will also bring on the forefront awareness about the present status of ASEAN-India partnership. This will also encourage trade, investment, tourism and mutual understanding between people.
The participants of the car rally were heartily welcomed by the Heads of State/Government as well as representatives of ASEAN and India when the Ceremonial Flag Down of the rally in Delhi. Among the attendants in the event was the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, who believes that the event will be extremely helpful in promoting public awareness and establishing transport connectivity between India and ASEAN. This in turn would help develop relations with respect to investment, tourism, trade, and people-to-people linkages. The move would also assist in establishing a deeper partnership in addition to increasing traditional ties as well as uplifting the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations to the next level.
In this 2nd edition of the ASEAN-India Car Rally, with the participation of more than 120 individuals belonging to ASEAN Member States and India. There were thirty cars in the rally, which had a Ceremonial Flag-Off in Singapore and commenced in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 26 November 2012, thereby making way through 8 out of 10 official ASEAN Member States. Thereafter, after 21 days of excitement, the journey came to an end in the Indian city of Guwahati on 17 December 2012. The rally was then officially concluded in the presence of Heads of State/Government of ASEAN and India in the national capital.
Prior to this rally, the only ASIAN-India Car Rally to have taken place was held from 23 November - 6 December 2004. About 240 participants took place in the rally with as many as 60 vehicles. During this maiden rally, the journey had commenced in Guwahati, India and concluded in Batam, Indonesia after traversing through Myanmar, Thailand, the Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore.
