Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the 21st century belonged to India and ASEAN nations and reaffirmed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the main pillar of India’s Act East policy.
Highlighting the deep-rooted historical, cultural and civilizational ties, the Prime Minister pointed out that India and ASEAN together account for nearly a quarter of the world’s population.
“The 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN,” PM Modi said in his virtual address at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“India and ASEAN together account for nearly one-fourth of the world’s population. We share not only geography but also strong historical ties and shared values,” he said.
‘fellow travelers’
PM Modi also emphasized that India and ASEAN are fellow travelers in the Global South working together to ensure stability, growth and prosperity for all.
“Even in this era of uncertainty, the India-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership is showing steady progress,” Modi said, adding that a strong partnership is proving to be a key foundation for global stability and development.
During his six-minute address at the summit, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s unwavering support for ASEAN’s centrality and ASEAN’s vision for the Indo-Pacific, stressing that cooperation between the two regions is key to expanded peace and prosperity across Asia.
“ASEAN is not just part of our foreign policy, but a cornerstone of India’s Act East vision,” Prime Minister Modi said, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
He congratulated Malaysia and its Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for successfully hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit and commended the Philippines for its role as country coordinator for India. He also welcomed the inclusion of East Timor as the 11th member state of the ASEAN community. The prime minister also expressed his condolences after the death of Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to represent the Prime Minister at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27. The East Asia Summit will serve as a platform to discuss challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and to exchange views on major regional and international developments.
Prime Minister Modi shared details of his conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday.
In a social media post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “I had a warm conversation with my dear friend Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and wished success for the upcoming summits.”
