Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a comprehensive 10-point plan aimed at enhancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit. The plan is focused on improving connectivity and resilience, marking a key milestone in India’s Act East Policy.
To celebrate a decade of the Act East Policy, PM Modi outlined several initiatives centered on people-to-people engagement, including a Youth Summit and a Start-up Festival.
“The India-ASEAN Summit was a productive one. We discussed how to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural linkages and cooperation in technology, connectivity and other such sectors,” PM Modi posted on X.
PM Modi’s 10-point plan to strengthen the ASEAN-India partnership also involves doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and invitation to ASEAN leaders to join ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign.
The Ministry of External Affairs, in its statement, confirmed that the plan aligns with the ASEAN Chair’s theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Among the initiatives, India will allocate USD 5 million to support joint tourism activities, celebrating 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. The plan also includes organizing events such as a Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, and the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks.
Further steps in the plan include the ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund, along with new scholarships for ASEAN students at Indian agricultural universities. India will also commit USD 5 million towards improving disaster resilience and initiate a Health Ministers’ dialogue focused on health resilience.
The plan seeks to advance cooperation on digital and cyber resilience through a regular ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue and a workshop on green hydrogen. Additionally, the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement is slated for completion by 2025.
Meanwhile, PM Modi also shared a post on his X about the 10-point peace plan and said, “Proposed ten suggestions which will further deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN.”
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, also shared the plan’s details, noting its symbolic launch on October 10, coinciding with a decade of the Act East Policy.
The summit, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, saw PM Modi emphasize India’s continued support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the growing trade and investment links between India and ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching over USD 130 billion. The Prime Minister also noted the expansion of direct flight connectivity to seven ASEAN nations and ongoing efforts to restore shared cultural heritage across the region.
In his address, PM Modi underscored the need to complete the review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) to unlock further economic potential. The progress in the ASEAN-India knowledge partnership, particularly through scholarships provided at Nalanda University, was also highlighted as a key area of collaboration.
The 21st ASEAN-India Summit, PM Modi’s 11th participation, reviewed the achievements and charted future goals for the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The event served as an opportunity to strengthen ties in various sectors, positioning the partnership as a cornerstone of the region’s future growth.
(ani)