KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared 2026 as the Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation to strengthen regional ties and promote peace and security.
Speaking virtually at the 22nd Asean-India Summit today, he said India and Asean are working closely in several areas, including maritime security, disaster relief, and the blue economy.
“Whether it is digital inclusion or ensuring food security and resilient supply chains in today’s complex global landscape, India fully supports these priorities and is committed to moving forward together in this direction.
“India has firmly stood together with its Asean friends during every catastrophe. Our cooperation is increasing rapidly across areas such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy.
"We are therefore declaring the year 2026 as the Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” Modi said.
He added that India and Asean are also actively working to enhance cooperation in areas such as education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity.
On Thursday (October 23), the Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Asean-India relations, stating that he looked forward to joining the Asean-India Summit virtually and deepening the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with the bloc.
Modi also reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, stressing that Asean remains a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy.
“India has always supported Asean centrality and Asean's outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Even in this period of uncertainty, there has been steady progress in the India-Asean Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” he said.
New Delhi's Act East Policy aims to strengthen economic, strategic and cultural ties with Southeast Asian countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region, enhancing regional cooperation and stability.
Highlighting the shared values and historic ties between India and Asean, Modi said both partners represent one-fourth of the world’s population and are ‘fellow travellers from the Global South’.
“We do not just share geography. We are also bound together by deep historic ties and shared values.
“Our partnership encompasses not just trade but culture as well. We will continue to work together to nurture our shared cultural heritage and to strengthen our people-to-people ties,” he said.
Modi also congratulated Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his successful Asean chairmanship and thanked Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr for his role as country coordinator for India.
He then welcomed Timor-Leste as the newest member of the Asean family and extended, on behalf of the people of India, condolences to the royal family and the people of Thailand on the passing of the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
India became Asean’s dialogue partner in 1996, with bilateral trade increasing to US$106.83 billion (RM451.1 billion) in 2024, up from US$100.72 billion (RM425.34 billion) in 2023.
However, foreign direct investment from India to Asean fell 34.97 per cent to US$3.31 billion (RM13.98 billion) in 2024, from US$5.09 billion (RM21.50 billion) in 2023.
