Updated on Saturday, November 22, 2008, 00:00 IST

New Delhi, Nov 21: Seeking to give a fresh impetus to India's "Look East" policy, President Pratibha Patil will visit Vietnam and Indonesia next week to further enhance bilateral ties with them.

"This visit essentially reaffirms India commitment to enhance our engagement with these countries, our close friends within ASEAN fraternity. It is part of our Look East policy initiative," Secretary (East) N Ravi told reporters here.

He said that the President during her 10-day visit would hold extensive delegation-level talks with the leadership of these countries which have seen impressive growth rates.

"Our engagement with these two countries is very old. This visit would give us an opportunity to assess the present state of relations in all facets -- political, economic and cultural," Ravi said adding the visits would also help the countries to enhance ties in trade and investment.

Bureau Report