Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed three major orientations to promote ASEAN-India relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed three major directions to deepen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and enhance economic and people-to-people connectivity in regional cooperation.

According to the VNA special correspondent, on the afternoon of October 26, in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with ASEAN leaders and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit.

At the Conference, the leaders assessed that the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to develop strongly, comprehensively, and substantively, as one of the important pillars contributing to maintaining peace , stability, and prosperity in the region.

The leaders noted that the momentum for economic cooperation continues to be maintained. India is ASEAN's sixth largest trading partner and investor, with bilateral trade reaching US$106.83 billion in 2024 and total foreign direct investment (FDI) reaching US$3.58 billion.

Both sides agreed to expedite the review process to upgrade the ASEAN-India Goods Trade Agreement (AITIGA) to be more business-friendly, convenient, and efficient, thereby promoting trade, investment, and inclusive and sustainable growth.

The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The conference adopted the ASEAN-India Action Plan 2026-2030 as a guideline for cooperation over the next five years, with priorities focusing on key areas such as the digital economy, innovation, clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, health, education, food security, and narrowing the development gap.

ASEAN countries welcome India's new cooperation proposals and initiatives, including the ASEAN-India Digital Future Fund and the US$5 million contribution to support tourism cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Year 2025, contributing to promoting people-to-people exchanges and cultural connectivity.

The leaders also agreed to select “ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation” as the theme for bilateral cooperation in 2026, aiming to expand cooperation in the areas of maritime security, marine science, blue economy, maritime transport connectivity, and to hold the second ASEAN-India Joint Exercise in 2026.

ASEAN countries have urged India to enhance regional connectivity, including completing and putting into operation the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral economic corridor, with a view to expanding this route to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Speaking at the conference, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that ASEAN and India, with a population accounting for a quarter of the world's population, are not only geographically connected but also linked by historical ties, shared values, and a spirit of Southern Hemisphere solidarity.

Prime Minister Modi affirmed India's support for ASEAN's priorities on inclusiveness and sustainability, emphasizing cooperation in digital transformation, food security, sustainable supply chains, and the green economy.

In addition, India will strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity, while promoting people-to-people exchanges and preserving shared cultural heritage.

Prime Minister Modi affirmed his belief that "the 21st century is the century of India and ASEAN," expressing his determination to work with ASEAN to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and India's goal of a prosperous development by 2047, contributing to a bright and peaceful future for all humanity.

In his speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated India's role and contributions in promoting regional cooperation and highlighting the voice of developing countries in the global agenda.

The Prime Minister affirmed Vietnam's support for India's continued implementation of its "Act East" policy and its efforts to strengthen comprehensive and substantive cooperation with ASEAN.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The Prime Minister emphasized that in the context of a rapidly changing and complex world, ASEAN and India, two "strategic anchors" connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean with over 2 billion people and a combined GDP of nearly 8 trillion USD, need to play a more responsible role in promoting regional and inter-regional cooperation, upholding solidarity and multilateralism, and making practical contributions to peace and sustainable development.

To further deepen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Prime Minister proposed three major directions.

Firstly, strengthen economic connectivity and leverage comparative advantages for sustainable and inclusive development; promote the role of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); restructure the ASEAN-India Business Council; boost investment in high technology, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors; and promote Mekong-Ganges sub-regional cooperation to narrow the development gap.

Secondly, we need to expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education, healthcare, culture, and tourism; develop high-quality human resources; and strengthen the exchange of scholars, students, and experts in the fields of smart agriculture, green technology, and food security.

Thirdly, promote maritime cooperation, develop a green and sustainable maritime economy; strengthen cooperation in maritime transport, science and industry; continue to support ASEAN's stance on the South China Sea, ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with ASEAN countries and India to promote substantive cooperation, contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.

At the conclusion of the Conference, the leaders adopted a Joint Statement on Sustainable Tourism, affirming their determination to promote substantive, inclusive, and sustainable cooperation between ASEAN and India in the new phase.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-de-xuat-3-dinh-huong-lon-thuc-day-quan-he-asean-an-do-post1072883.vnp