New Delhi - Indian President Pratibha Patil Monday embarked on a visit to Vietnam and Indonesia that is expected to give a new impetus to India's "Look-East" policy and consolidate ties with these countries, officials said.

"The tour is aimed at giving momentum to India's relations with the economically important countries in the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) region," a spokesman of the President's Office said.

Patil is scheduled to hold talks with the top leadership of those countries during her tour that will conclude December 3.

According to India's Foreign Ministry, Patil's visit re-affirmed India's commitment to boost its engagement with the countries under its "Look East policy."

"The visit would provide an opportunity to India to assess the state of relations in all facets - political, economic and cultural ties - with the two countries and help to enhance ties in trade and investment," foreign ministry official N Ravi said.

Patil will meet with her Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. She will also join a meeting of the Indian and Vietnamese chambers of commerce.

Two-way trade has increased from 1 billion dollars in 2006 to about 1.7 billion dollars in the first seven months of 2008.

On the second leg of the 10-day visit, President Patil will visit Indonesia to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Ties between the two countries encompass areas such as investment, defence and culture with high-level visits taking place at regular intervals.

Indonesia is India's third-largest trading partner in the ASEAN, with trade valued at 6.5 billion dollars in 2008, the Hindu newspaper reported. It has substantial Indian investments, particularly in the textile sector. (dpa)