At the 21st ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between India and ASEAN, particularly in the context of global conflicts and tensions. He referred to ASEAN nations as India’s neighbors and key partners in the Global South, asserting that the 21st century belongs to both India and ASEAN.
PM Modi highlighted the “Act East Policy,” which he introduced a decade ago, noting that it had infused new energy and direction into India’s relations with ASEAN countries. He stressed the importance of peace, mutual respect for sovereignty, and a shared commitment to a prosperous future for the region’s youth.
Speaking about regional cooperation, Modi pointed to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative launched in 2019 and emphasized that recent maritime exercises have contributed to regional stability and security. He also mentioned that India’s trade with ASEAN has nearly doubled over the past decade, now exceeding USD 130 billion.
Modi outlined a 10-point action plan to further enhance ASEAN-India relations, which includes celebrating 2025 as the ‘ASEAN-India Year of Tourism,’ for which India will contribute $5 million. He also announced a series of initiatives to mark a decade of the Act East Policy, including events like the Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, and Music Festival.
Other key announcements included plans for a Women Scientists Conclave, new scholarships for ASEAN students, and efforts to bolster disaster and health resilience, cyber security, and green hydrogen initiatives. The prime minister invited ASEAN leaders to participate in the ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign, focusing on climate resilience.
