PM Modi: 21st Century Belongs to India and ASEAN, Focus on Stability, Sustainability and Maritime Cooperation
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the 21st century is the century of India and ASEAN. Speaking at the virtual ASEAN-India Summit in Malaysia, Mr Modi stressed that India and the ASEAN make up one fourth of the world's population together.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 26: The growing India - Asean relationship is a source of stability and certainty in the face of global uncertainties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. He highlighted efforts by both sides to work together in addressing each other’s concerns from digital inclusion, food security and resilient supply chains.
2026 Marked as Year of Maritime Cooperation
Besides marking 2026 as the “Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation”, the two sides are enhancing cooperation in technology, education, tourism, health and wellness, green energy and cyber-space security among other areas, Modi said in his virtual address to 18th Asean-India Summit here.
Modi participated in the summit through video conferencing that reviewed progress in two-way ties and explored ways to strengthen the Asean-India comprehensive strategic partnership. The Indian side was represented in-person by external affairs minister S Jaishankar.
Expanding Cooperation in Key Sectors
Touching on the summit’s theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Modi cited collective efforts between India and Asean in areas like digital integration, food security and maintaining “resilient supply chains in the backdrop of current global challenges”.
Modi also said that India and Asean together represent one-fourth of the world’s population and are partners in the Global South. Jaishankar also called on the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar and delivered Modi’s greetings to have a successful Asean Summit.
Meetings with Key Figures
He also had meetings with his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Singaporean foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan and South Korean foreign minister Cho Hyun where bilateral ties figured. Automobiles, electronics and semiconductors, defence and shipbuilding also featured in the discussions between Jaishankar and Cho Hyun.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr of the Philippines, which is due to hold the Asean presidency in 2026, said closer collaboration with India was needed to address common challenges. Emphasising peaceful resolution of disputes and maritime cooperation, Marcos also thanked India for its continued support to international law and rule of law in the region.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim invited him during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim is the current chair of Asean. India’s economic progress has the potential to benefit not only India, but also Asean in a number of areas, he said.
New Action Plan for 2026–2030 Adopted
Apart from adopting an Asean-India plan of action for 2026-2030, the meeting also considered the mid-term review of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), signed in 2009. India has been exerting pressure for a fast conclusion of the review over concerns that China was taking advantage of some Asean members to penetrate its markets.
