PM Modi hails ties with ASEAN countries: ‘Main pillar of India’s…’
In a major announcement, Prime Minister Modi declared 2026 as the ‘ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year’ to strengthen cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, healthcare, green energy and cyber security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his virtual speech at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, declared the 21st century as the “century of India and ASEAN”, while emphasizing that the partnership between the two parties goes beyond trade and is deeply rooted in cultural, historical and civilizational ties. Congratulating Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for successfully hosting the summit, Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences on the demise of the Queen Mother of Thailand.
Speaking about the theme of the summit ‘Inclusion and Sustainability’, PM Modi said it reflects common priorities in digital inclusion, food security and resilient supply chains. While calling ASEAN the “main pillar of India’s Eastern Policy”, he extended a warm welcome to Timor-Leste, which has been officially recognized as the eleventh member of the group, at the ongoing summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Prime Minister said, “India and ASEAN together represent one-fourth of the global population. We do not just share geography, we share deep historical relations and common values. We are part of the global south. We share not only trade relations but also cultural relations. ASEAN is the pillar of India’s Act East Policy. India has always supported ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN’s perspective on the Indo-Pacific supported it.”
The Look East policy, implemented in 1992, focused primarily on economic ties with Southeast Asia. With the changing dynamics of the world, Prime Minister Modi injected new vigor into India’s foreign policy in 2014, transforming the Look East Policy into a more dynamic Act East Policy (AEP) that emphasizes stronger action and results.
In a major announcement, Prime Minister Modi declared 2026 as the ‘ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year’ to strengthen cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, healthcare, green energy and cyber security. The Prime Minister said, “Our cooperation in the field of HADR, maritime security and blue economy is rapidly increasing. Seeing this, we declare 2026 as the ‘ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year’.” he said. “The 21st century is our century. This is the century of India and ASEAN. I am confident that the aim of ‘ASEAN Community Vision 2045’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ will develop a bright future for all humanity.”
Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India also reiterated their commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and preserving cultural heritage during the summit. In a joint declaration, member states highlighted the vital contribution of tourism to economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development and intercultural understanding, while also recognizing the need to maintain high standards of safety, service and visitor satisfaction.
The declaration emphasized the adoption of environmentally sustainable, socio-culturally responsible and economically viable tourism practices. Measures include promoting green, blue and circular economy principles; minimizing pollution; conservation of biodiversity; supporting women, youth and local communities; and promoting low-carbon, resource-efficient infrastructure. The ASEAN-India partnership also pledged to preserve historical and cultural heritage, integrate local arts, crafts, gastronomy and museums into tourism, and strengthen capacity building through knowledge sharing, digital technologies and institutional collaboration.
The leaders also underlined the importance of tourism as a driver of regional cooperation and people-to-people contacts, noting that the ASEAN-India Tourism Year 2025 is a platform to showcase sustainable tourism initiatives and enhance regional connectivity. Earlier today, East Timor became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This is ASEAN’s first expansion in 26 years since Cambodia was admitted in 1999. The island country applied for membership in 2011. This is ASEAN’s first expansion in 26 years since Cambodia was admitted in 1999. The island country applied for membership in 2011. Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined 10 ASEAN leaders to sign documents confirming the nation’s membership. The long awaited entry.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Cambodia took a formal step towards halting hostilities and restoring peace along their disputed border by signing a joint declaration on a peace agreement in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The agreement, called the “KL PEACE Agreement”, was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, which started today under the chairmanship of Malaysia.
Speaking at the event, President Trump said, “This is a momentous day for all the people of Southeast Asia as we sign a historic agreement to end the military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.” he said. According to the statement made by the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with US President Donald Trump and agreed to strengthen the bilateral alliance in their first phone call. The telephone conversation between the two leaders took place on October 25 while they were attending Summit meetings on ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur. According to the comments published on the official website of the Japanese prime minister, the meeting, which lasted approximately 10 minutes, focused on strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
During the summit, the United States also signed bilateral trade agreements with Cambodia and Malaysia and a framework agreement with Thailand and Vietnam. “In addition to this peace agreement, we are signing a major trade agreement with Cambodia and a very important critical mineral agreement with Thailand,” Trump said. ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with founding members including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Its members are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and finally East Timor.
The ASEAN Charter provides legal status and an institutional framework and came into force in 2008. Established in February 1976, the ASEAN Secretariat is headquartered in Jakarta. Malaysia is the 2025 ASEAN Chair and the Philippines will be the Chair in 2026. India began its formal relationship with ASEAN in 1992 as a “Sectoral Dialogue Partner” (Secretary level) and subsequently as a “Dialogue Partner” in 1995.
(Except for the title, this news has not been edited by the DNA team and is published from ANI news agency).
