New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepen strategic and economic cooperation with Southeast Asian nations under the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Prime Minister and ASEAN leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed new initiatives aimed at advancing shared goals in connectivity, trade, and regional stability. This marked Modi’s 12th participation in the annual summit.
Congratulating Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th member of ASEAN, the Prime Minister extended India’s support for its human development efforts and welcomed the delegation to its first ASEAN-India Summit as a full member.
Reiterating India’s steadfast backing of ASEAN unity, centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, Modi commended the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, calling it a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable regional growth.
The Prime Minister underscored that an early review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) would unlock the full economic potential of the partnership and further enhance regional cooperation. Stressing that terrorism remains a major threat to global peace, he called for greater unity in combating the menace.
In line with Malaysia’s Summit theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Modi announced several new initiatives, including:
- 2026 to be celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, to deepen collaboration in the blue economy.
- Adoption of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism, marking the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
- Plans to convene the Second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting and Second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise to ensure maritime security.
- Training of 400 professionals in renewable energy to support the ASEAN Power Grid initiative.
- Extension of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to Timor-Leste.
- Establishment of a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University to strengthen academic and cultural linkages.
The Prime Minister also reiterated India’s role as a first responder in times of crisis, pledging continued cooperation in disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance.
Concluding his address, Modi thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for hosting the virtual summit and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his leadership as country coordinator. ASEAN leaders, in turn, appreciated India’s consistent support for ASEAN’s vision and its proactive engagement under the Act East Policy.
