Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], October 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday declared the twenty first century because the ‘century of India and ASEAN’, whereas highlighting that the partnership between the 2 sides goes past commerce and is deeply rooted in cultural, historic, and civilisational ties, throughout his digital handle on the twenty second ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Congratulating Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for efficiently internet hosting the summit, PM Modi expressed condolences on the demise of Thailand’s Queen Mother.
Speaking on the summit theme, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, PM Modi stated it displays shared priorities in digital inclusion, meals safety, and resilient provide chains.
He described ASEAN because the ‘predominant pillar of India’s Act East Policy’ whereas extending a heat welcome to Timor-Leste, which was formally inducted because the eleventh member of the grouping on the ongoing summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
‘India and ASEAN collectively characterize one-fourth of the worldwide inhabitants. We not solely share geography, we share deep historic relations and shared values. We are a part of the worldwide south. We not solely share commerce relations but additionally cultural relations. ASEAN is the principle pillar of India’s Act East Policy. India has at all times supported ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific,’ the Prime Minister stated.
Introduced in 1992, the Look East coverage targeted totally on financial ties with Southeast Asia. With the altering dynamics of the world, PM Modi, in 2014, launched a brand new vigour in India’s overseas coverage and reworked the Look East Policy right into a extra dynamic Act East Policy (AEP), emphasising stronger motion and outcomes.
In a key announcement, PM Modi declared 2026 because the ‘Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation’ to strengthen collaboration throughout training, tourism, science and expertise, well being, inexperienced power, and cybersecurity.
‘Our collaboration in HADR, sea safety, and the blue economic system is quickly rising. Seeing this, we declare 2026 because the ‘Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation’,’ the PM stated.
‘The twenty first century is our century. It is India and ASEAN’s century. I’m assured that the goal of ‘ASEAN Community Vision 2045’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047′ will develop a vivid future for everything of humanity,’ he concluded.
The member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India have additionally reaffirmed their dedication to selling sustainable tourism and preserving cultural heritage through the summit.
In a joint declaration, the member states highlighted the very important contribution of tourism to financial development, job creation, infrastructure improvement, and cross-cultural understanding, whereas acknowledging the necessity to keep excessive requirements of security, service, and customer satisfaction.
The declaration emphasised the adoption of environmentally sustainable, socio-culturally accountable, and economically viable tourism practices. Measures embody selling inexperienced, blue, and round economic system rules; minimising air pollution; defending biodiversity; supporting ladies, youth, and native communities; and inspiring low-carbon, resource-efficient infrastructure.
The ASEAN-India partnership additionally pledged to preserve historic and cultural heritage, combine native arts, handicrafts, gastronomy, and museums into tourism, and strengthen capability constructing via data sharing, digital applied sciences, and institutional collaboration.
The leaders additionally underscored the significance of tourism as a driver of regional cooperation and people-to-people contacts, noting that the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025 is a platform to showcase sustainable tourism initiatives and improve regional connectivity.
Earlier at present, Timor-Leste turned the eleventh member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This is ASEAN’s first enlargement in 26 years since Cambodia was admitted in 1999. The island nation had utilized for membership in 2011.
This is ASEAN’s first enlargement in 26 years since Cambodia was admitted in 1999. The island nation had utilized for membership in 2011.
Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined the ten ASEAN leaders for the signing of paperwork confirming the nation’s long-awaited entry.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Cambodia signed a joint declaration on a peace deal within the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, marking a proper step towards halting hostilities and restoring peace alongside their disputed border.
The settlement, dubbed the ‘KL PEACE Accord,’ was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, on the sidelines of the forty seventh ASEAN Summit, which started at present below the chairmanship of Malaysia.
Speaking on the occasion, President Trump stated, ‘This is a momentous day for the entire individuals of Southeast Asia as we signal a historic settlement to finish the navy battle between Cambodia and Thailand.’
Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held talks with US President Donald Trump and agreed to strengthen the bilateral alliance throughout their first phone talks, in accordance with the Japanese premier’s workplace.
The phone name between the 2 leaders was held on October 25, whereas they had been attending ASEAN-related Summit conferences in Kuala Lumpur.
The name, which lasted roughly 10 minutes, targeted on strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation, in accordance with feedback posted on the Japanese premier’s official web site.
The United States additionally signed reciprocal commerce agreements with Cambodia and Malaysia and a framework settlement with Thailand and Vietnam through the Summit.
‘Alongside this peace treaty, we’re additionally signing a serious commerce cope with Cambodia and an important important minerals settlement with Thailand,’ Trump stated.
ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, with founding members together with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and, most lately, Timor-Leste are its members.
The ASEAN Charter supplies authorized standing and an institutional framework, and entered into pressure in 2008. The ASEAN Secretariat, arrange in February 1976, is predicated in Jakarta.
Malaysia is the ASEAN Chair for 2025, and the Philippines would be the Chair in 2026. India started formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a ‘Sectoral Dialogue Partner’ (on the Secretary stage) and subsequently as a ‘Dialogue Partner’ in 1995. (ANI)