Promoting Substantive, Inclusive and Sustainable Cooperation between ASEAN and India

On the afternoon of October 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, ASEAN leaders and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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

At the Conference, the Leaders assessed that the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to develop strongly, comprehensively and substantially, and is one of the important pillars contributing to maintaining peace , stability and prosperity in the region. The Leaders acknowledged that the momentum of economic cooperation continues to be maintained.

India is ASEAN's sixth largest trading partner and investor, with two-way trade turnover in 2024 reaching US$106.83 billion and total FDI capital reaching US$3.58 billion.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the review to upgrade the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in a more friendly, convenient and effective manner for businesses, in order to promote trade, investment and inclusive and sustainable growth.

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

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: ASEAN and India are two 'strategic anchors' connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Vietnam supports India in continuing to implement its "Act East" policy and enhancing comprehensive and substantive cooperation with ASEAN. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

ASEAN countries welcomed India's new cooperation proposals and initiatives, including the ASEAN-India Digital Future Fund and the contribution of US$5 million to support tourism cooperation under the ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Year 2025, which will contribute 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 fields of maritime security, marine science, blue economy, maritime transport connectivity and organize the second ASEAN-India Joint Exercise in 2026.

The countries also asked India to strengthen regional connectivity, including completing and putting into operation the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Economic Corridor, with a view to extending this route to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

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

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

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed three major orientations to deepen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

India will also strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy and cyber security, while promoting people-to-people exchanges and preserving common 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 the goal of a prosperous India 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 raising the voice of developing countries in the global agenda. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam supports India in continuing to implement its "Act East" policy and strengthening comprehensive and substantive cooperation with ASEAN.

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 with more than 2 billion people and a total GDP of nearly 8,000 billion USD - need to promote their roles and sense of responsibility in promoting regional and inter-regional cooperation, upholding solidarity and multilateralism, and making practical contributions to peace and sustainable development.

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

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

View of the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Second, expand people-to-people exchanges, cooperation in education, health, culture, and tourism; develop high-quality human resources; enhance exchanges of scholars, students, and experts in the fields of smart agriculture, green technology, and food security.

Third, promote maritime cooperation, develop a blue and sustainable marine economy; strengthen cooperation in transport, science and marine industry; continue to support ASEAN's stance on the East Sea, ensure security, safety, freedom of navigation and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 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 end 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 period.

Ha Thanh Giang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-thuc-chat-bao-trum-va-ben-vung-giua-asean-va-an-do-post918198.html