Kuala Lumpur, Oct 26 – In a live‑streamed address from New Delhi, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the 21st century belongs to India and ASEAN. He urged the two regions to deepen a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” that he said is key to global stability and prosperity.
The 22nd India‑ASEAN Summit, chaired by Malaysia, marked Modi’s 12th straight appearance. He welcomed the newest member, Timor‑Leste, and pledged Indian support for its human‑development goals.
A‑India ties grow stronger
Modi stressed India’s promise to ASEAN Unity, Centrality and the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo‑Pacific.” He congratulated the bloc on adopting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a plan that aims to make the region a unified economic, social and political space by 2045.
He asked officials to speed up the review of the ASEAN‑India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA). The goal: unlock trade that can reach more than two billion people and make the region more resilient to shocks.
Tackling big challenges together
Terrorism was called a “grave menace” to global peace. Modi urged countries to act together against it, echoing Malaysia’s focus on “Inclusivity and Sustainability” for the summit. He announced a new plan of action for 2026‑2030, a joint tourism‑sustainability statement, and set 2026 as the ASEAN‑India Year of Maritime Cooperation, aiming to grow blue‑economy ties.
Other proposals include a second ASEAN‑India defence‑minister meeting and a maritime exercise to keep the Indo‑Pacific secure. India will continue to lead the “first responder” role in regional crises, boosting disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance.
Building skills and clean energy
Modi announced a program to train 400 ASEAN professionals in renewable energy, which will help strengthen the ASEAN Power Grid. The initiative will also bring “Quick Impact Projects” to Timor‑Leste and create a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University.
India will promote education, energy, science, technology, fintech, cultural preservation, infrastructure, semiconductors, emerging tech, rare earths and critical minerals. The Prime Minister also said India will host the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival in Lothal, Gujarat, and a conference on maritime security.
A partnership that adds up
He thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for organizing the virtual summit and praised the Philippines for its country‑coordinated effort. Modi noted that together India and ASEAN represent almost a quarter of the world’s population and share deep historical, cultural and civilisational ties.
The two sides also marked the passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, offering condolences.
Bilateral trade hit $120 billion in 2024, and analysts say it will grow as the partnership tackles climate resilience, supply‑chain security and sustainable growth.
This summit underlined a maturing India‑ASEAN partnership that is ready to face the biggest challenges of the 21st century—economic, environmental and security.
Source: ianslive
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