PM Modi joins 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, boosting trade, maritime security, counterterrorism, and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.
At the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, India and ASEAN countries deepened their relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi identified many important areas for cooperation, including maritime security, early revision of the ASEAN-India free trade agreement, and counterterrorism.
According to a news release from the Ministry of External Affairs, the prime minister emphasised the significance of unity in the battle against terrorism and said it poses a severe threat to international peace and security.
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PM Modi took part in the Summit remotely. Along with discussing efforts to fortify the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Prime Minister and ASEAN leaders jointly assessed the state of relations between ASEAN and India. The Prime Minister’s attendance in the India-ASEAN Summit was his twelfth.
For the benefit of our peoples and to further fortify regional collaboration, the prime minister emphasized that an early revision of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) can unlock the full economic potential of our relationship.
As we celebrate the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, PM Modi extended support for the adoption of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism to strengthen tourism cooperation and the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030), in line with the Malaysian Chair’s theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”
The release also stated that PM Modi praised the 2026 designation as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation” to establish collaborations in the blue economy and suggested hosting the Second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the Second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise to ensure a safe maritime environment.
“India will continue its role as a First Responder in times of crisis in the neighbourhood, and further strengthen cooperation in Disaster Preparedness and HADR and training of 400 professionals in renewable energy, for supporting the ASEAN Power Grid initiative and extending Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to Timor Leste,” said Prime Minister Modi.
At its inaugural ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister welcomed the delegation as a full member of ASEAN, congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th member, and expressed India’s ongoing support for the human development of Timor-Leste.
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He also suggested setting up a SE Asia Center at Nalanda University and having India teach ASEAN experts. While praising ASEAN for adopting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
He emphasized the need for greater collaboration in infrastructure, semiconductors, emerging technologies, rare earths, and critical minerals, and suggested creating a Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University to foster regional expertise and sustain continued collaboration in education, energy, science and technology, fintech, and cultural preservation, the release added.
He suggested a conference on maritime security cooperation as well as the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival in Lothal, Gujarat.
PM Modi also expressed gratitude to Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, for his superb preparations and flexibility in hosting the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit digitally. President Marcos Jr. was also commended by the prime minister for the Philippines’ successful national coordination.
According to the announcement, ASEAN leaders valued India’s support for ASEAN throughout the years and its ongoing dedication to strengthening ties with the region through its Act East Policy.