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In a virtual address at the annual summit of India-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Modi also said the grouping is a key pillar of New Delhi’s Act East policy.
“India has always fully supported ‘ASEAN centrality’ and ASEAN’s vision on the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
My remarks during the ASEAN-India Summit held in Malaysia. https://t.co/87TT0RKY8x
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 26 October 2025
“Even in these times of uncertainty, the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has made steady progress. Our strong partnership is emerging as a powerful foundation for global stability and development,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said India “has stood firmly with our ASEAN friends” in every crisis and the two-way cooperation in the fields of maritime security and blue economy is growing rapidly.
“In light of this, we are declaring 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” he announced.
“We are also vigorously pursuing mutual 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.
ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.
ASEAN-India dialogue relations began in 1992 with the establishment of a regional partnership. This evolved into a full dialogue partnership in December 1995 and a summit-level partnership in 2002.
In 2012, relations were elevated to a strategic partnership.
Bilateral relations between India and ASEAN have grown significantly over the years, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in the areas of trade and investment as well as security and defence.
(edited by : Vivek Dubey,