With the ASEAN countries careful not to pick sides between the US and China despite being mauled by the Trump tariffs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the region’s leaders Sunday that the India-ASEAN partnership, representing nearly one-fourth of the world’s population, is “emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and development” in “this era of uncertainties”.
And with China in mind, he declared 2026 as the ‘ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation’. Beijing’s assertions in regional waters and the Indo-Pacific have unsettled many in ASEAN although China remains the grouping’s largest trading partner.
Addressing the ASEAN-India leaders’ summit in Kuala Lumpur via virtual mode, Modi said, “The 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN. I am confident that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 will build a bright future for all of humanity. Alongside all of you, India is committed to working shoulder to shoulder in this direction.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the summit host, said the ASEAN-India relations “for us, remain a force for stability, for mutual prosperity” and “your strides in economic advancement in various fields… will be beneficial both to India and ASEAN”.
Ibrahim said they were discussing the ASEAN-India plan of action 2026-2030 and want to conclude the ASEAN-India trade and goods agreement this year.
Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., who is the country coordinator for the ASEAN-India summit this year, said, “Last August, I had the privilege of visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, and during my visit to the world’s largest democracy, I witnessed firsthand that as nations of the Global South, we share common challenges, and that deeper cooperation amongst us is essential. Southeast Asia’s next door neighbour, which is set to become the world’s fourth largest economy, India has a lot to offer to ASEAN as a region. As a committed dialogue partner that recognises ASEAN centrality through its Act East policy, which stresses ASEAN as a core pillar of its engagement, we may also turn our gaze to India for solutions to our common concerns.”
And, then referring to China’s assertive behaviour in the South China Sea, Marcos said, “As a maritime and archipelagic nation, I wish to highlight the great importance of the rule of law in our oceans. Both ASEAN and India should see peaceful settlement of disputes and maritime cooperation as essential as our seas contribute to the peace and prosperity of the entire Indo-Pacific region. In this regard, I thank Prime Minister Modi for India’s consistent support for international law and the rule of law.”
Story continues below this ad
Modi too flagged maritime cooperation: “India has stood firmly with its ASEAN friends in every disaster. Our cooperation in HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief), maritime security and the blue economy is growing rapidly. In view of this, we are declaring 2026 as the ‘ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation’.”
“At the same time, we are steadily advancing our cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security. We will continue to work together to preserve our shared cultural heritage and strengthen people-to-people ties,” he said, outlining the areas of cooperation.
Drawing on the similarities, Modi told the ASEAN leaders, “We not only share geography; we are also bound by deep historical ties and shared values. We are companions in the Global South. We are not only commercial partners but also cultural partners. ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy. India has always fully supported ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s outlook in the Indo-Pacific.”
“Even in this era of uncertainties, India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to make steady progress. And this strong partnership of ours is emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and development,” he said.
Story continues below this ad
Recalling that the theme of this year’s ASEAN summit is ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, Modi said, “This theme is clearly reflected in our joint efforts, whether it is digital inclusion or ensuring food security and resilient supply chains amid current global challenges. India fully supports these priorities and is committed to advancing them together.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the East Asia leaders’ summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, and is likely to hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the sidelines of the summit.
The ASEAN or Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organisation of 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. At the ASEAN summit in 2022, Timor-Leste was admitted in-principle as a member of ASEAN. Malaysia is the Chair of ASEAN for 2025 and it will be the Philippines in 2026.
