PM Modi Highlights ASEAN-India Partnership at Virtual Summit

Prime Minister Modi's Participation in ASEAN-India Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, he and ASEAN leaders reviewed the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discussed initiatives to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. The ministry emphasized that the growing ties with ASEAN are a key pillar of India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Let's explore the significant points made by the Prime Minister in his address.

Call for Review of Free Trade Agreement

During the summit, Prime Minister Modi advocated for an expedited review of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. He noted that amidst uncertainties, the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN is emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and growth. Addressing the annual ASEAN summit via video conference from Kuala Lumpur, Modi described terrorism as a 'serious challenge' to global peace and security, highlighting the importance of unity in combating this threat.

ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year

The Prime Minister declared 2026 as the 'ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year' and reaffirmed India's strong support for the group's significance in the Indo-Pacific region, an area witnessing increasing military aggression from China. The Ministry of External Affairs reported that Modi stressed the need for a swift review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) to fully utilize the economic potential of their relations for the benefit of their people and to enhance regional cooperation.

Progress in Trade Agreements

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his address, mentioned that there has been some real progress in the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which the group aims to finalize by the end of this year. AITIGA was implemented 15 years ago, and Malaysia is currently hosting the annual ASEAN summit and related meetings as the group's chair.

Strengthening Strategic Partnership

During the summit, both parties discussed initiatives to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly in areas such as food security, resilient supply chains, tourism, and education. They also issued a statement on sustainable tourism, recognizing it as a significant driver of economic growth for both ASEAN and India. Prime Minister Modi expressed support for implementing the ASEAN-India Action Plan to operationalize the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026 and 2030).

Commitment to Regional Cooperation

He proposed hosting the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers' Meeting and the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise to ensure a secure maritime environment. Modi reiterated that India will continue to play a proactive role as the first responder during crises in the neighborhood and strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness. He also announced that India would train 400 professionals in renewable energy to support the ASEAN Power Grid initiative. This marks Modi's twelfth participation in the ASEAN-India summit, where he congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th member of ASEAN.

Support for ASEAN Centrality

Modi stated, 'India has always fully supported ASEAN centrality and ASEAN's perspective on the Indo-Pacific region.' He emphasized that despite the current uncertainties, the India-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has made consistent progress, emerging as a powerful foundation for global stability and growth. The Prime Minister noted that India has stood firmly with its ASEAN friends during every crisis, and bilateral cooperation in maritime security and the blue economy is rapidly increasing.

Shared Vision for the Future

He announced, 'We are declaring 2026 as the ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year.' Modi added that they are also rapidly advancing cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity. He emphasized the importance of working together to preserve their shared cultural heritage and strengthen ties between their peoples.

Representing a Significant Population

The Prime Minister remarked, 'India and ASEAN together represent nearly a quarter of the world's population. We are not only geographically aligned but also bound by deep historical ties and shared values.' He stated, 'We are partners in the Global South. We are not just commercial partners but cultural partners as well. ASEAN is the cornerstone of India's Act East policy.'

Commitment to Collaboration

Modi reiterated that both sides are continuously advancing cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity. He expressed confidence that the ASEAN community's 'Vision 2045' and 'Developed India 2047' goals will create a bright future for all humanity.

Focus on Inclusion and Sustainability

The Prime Minister affirmed India's commitment to working shoulder to shoulder in this direction. He noted that the theme of the ASEAN summit, 'Inclusion and Sustainability,' is clearly reflected in joint efforts, whether it be digital inclusion or ensuring food security and resilient supply chains amid current global challenges.

Support for ASEAN Priorities

Modi stated, 'India fully supports these priorities and is committed to advancing them together.' He emphasized, 'India has stood firmly with its ASEAN friends in every disaster. Our cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy is rapidly growing.'

ASEAN's Influence in the Region

ASEAN is regarded as one of the most influential groups in the region, with India, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia among its dialogue partners. The ASEAN-India dialogue relationship began in 1992 with the establishment of a regional partnership, which evolved into a full dialogue partnership in December 1995 and a summit-level partnership in 2002. These relations reached the level of a strategic partnership in 2012. In recent years, there has been significant growth in bilateral relations between India and ASEAN, primarily aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and security.