Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that 2026 will be observed as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” underlining New Delhi’s growing strategic and economic alignment with the ASEAN bloc. Speaking at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, Modi emphasised that India’s partnership with ASEAN remains central to its “Act East Policy” and to the larger Indo-Pacific vision.

“Together, India and ASEAN represent nearly one-fourth of the world's population. We not only share geography; we are also bound by deep historical ties and shared values,” Modi said, calling ASEAN a “cornerstone” of India’s regional engagement. He reiterated India’s unwavering support for “ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” stressing that the partnership had emerged as “a robust foundation for global stability and development”.

Referring to the Summit’s theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Modi said it reflects the shared priorities of both India and ASEAN. “This theme is clearly reflected in our joint efforts, whether it is digital inclusion or ensuring food security and resilient supply chains amid current global challenges. India fully supports these priorities and is committed to advancing them together,” he said.

Highlighting the resilience of the partnership, Modi pointed to growing cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy. The new maritime cooperation initiative, he said, would build on this momentum. “India has stood firmly with its ASEAN friends in every disaster,” he added.

Congratulating Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his successful chairmanship of ASEAN, and acknowledging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for serving as India’s country coordinator, Modi welcomed Timor-Leste as the grouping’s new member. He also extended condolences to the people of Thailand on the passing of the Queen Mother.

Beyond strategic cooperation, Modi spoke of expanding collaboration in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity, while preserving “our shared cultural heritage” and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister linked ASEAN’s long-term vision to India’s development goals. “The 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN,” he said. “I am confident that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 will build a bright future for all of humanity.”