20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta on Thursday, where he unveiled a comprehensive 12-point plan aimed at bolstering cooperation between New Delhi and the ASEAN regional bloc.
During his day-long visit to the Indonesian capital, Prime Minister Modi actively engaged in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS). The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement highlighting the significant discussions and outcomes of these events.
At the ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Modi held extensive talks with leaders from the ASEAN member countries to further enhance the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and shape its future trajectory. He reaffirmed the pivotal role of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the alignment between India's Indo-Pacific Ocean's Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Additionally, he stressed the urgency of completing the review of the ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA).
Modi also presented a 12-point proposal outlining the areas of focus for India-ASEAN cooperation. This proposal encompassed aspects such as connectivity, digital transformation, trade, addressing contemporary challenges, people-to-people contacts, and strengthening strategic engagement. Furthermore, India expressed its commitment to establishing a multi-modal connectivity and economic corridor linking Southeast Asia, India, West Asia, and Europe. India offered to share its Digital Public Infrastructure Stack with ASEAN partners and announced the creation of an ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future to facilitate cooperation in digital transformation and financial connectivity. India also pledged continued support for the Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) as a knowledge partner.
New Delhi emphasized the importance of collectively addressing issues faced by the Global South in multilateral forums and invited ASEAN nations to participate in the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine established by the WHO in India. India called for collaborative efforts in the Mission LiFE and offered to share its expertise in providing affordable and high-quality medicines through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras. Additionally, India urged ASEAN countries to join in the fight against terrorism, terror financing, and cyber-disinformation, while also inviting them to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and cooperate on disaster management. Enhanced collaboration on maritime safety, security, and domain awareness was also discussed, resulting in the adoption of two Joint Statements on Maritime Cooperation and Food Security.
Addressing the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the 21st century belongs to Asia and highlighted the need for a rule-based post-Covid world order focused on human welfare. He noted the ongoing progress in all fields of mutual cooperation between India and ASEAN and commended the theme of this year's summit, "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth," emphasizing the significance of ASEAN in global development. He also referred to India's G-20 Presidency theme, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "one earth, one family, one future."
During the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's support for the EAS mechanism and emphasized the importance of ASEAN centrality. He called for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, aligning with the vision of the Quad, which includes India, the US, Japan, and Australia. Modi advocated a cooperative approach to address global challenges like terrorism, climate change, resilient supply chains, and energy security. He highlighted India's initiatives in climate change, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Mission LiFE, and the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG).
These back-to-back ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit meetings were organized by Indonesia at India's request due to New Delhi hosting the upcoming G20 Summit over the weekend.
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