Context:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the steady progress of the India–ASEAN Strategic Partnership, emphasizing unity, resilience, and shared prosperity amid global uncertainties.
• The ASEAN–India Summit, co-chaired by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, underscored maritime cooperation, trade reforms, and regional stability.
Key Highlights:
- Strengthening Strategic Partnership
- ASEAN is described as India’s cultural and strategic partner, built on friendship, trust, and mutual interests.
- Both sides represent nearly one-fourth of the world’s population, showcasing the partnership’s global significance.
- India reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific architecture.
- Maritime Cooperation & Security
- 2026 declared “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation” to enhance maritime connectivity and blue economy collaboration.
- India’s participation in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) operations strengthens its maritime role in the region.
- Economic Cooperation – AITIGA
- The summit prioritized finalizing the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to unlock economic potential.
- Focus areas include trade, investment, digital economy, education, food security, and supply-chain resilience.
- Expanding ASEAN Membership
- Timor-Leste was formally welcomed as ASEAN’s newest member, symbolizing inclusivity in regional cooperation.
- Shared Global South Vision
- India and ASEAN reaffirmed joint efforts to advance digital inclusion, green energy, and cybersecurity partnerships under the ASEAN–India Plan of Action (2026–2030).
Relevant Mains Points:
- Significance: Deepening ties bolster India’s Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific outreach, and maritime security.
- Strategic Dimensions: Enhances connectivity, regional peace, supply-chain resilience, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
- Economic Implications: AITIGA modernization may increase India’s integration with Southeast Asian value chains.
- Cultural & People-to-People Linkages: Shared civilizational heritage (Buddhism, Ramayana traditions, trade routes).
- Way Forward:
- Expedite AITIGA review with balanced safeguards.
- Expand cooperation in green energy, digital trade, and logistics.
- Strengthen joint exercises and ASEAN-India Maritime Dialogue mechanisms.
Possible Mains Question:
“Discuss the significance of the ASEAN–India partnership in advancing India’s Act East Policy and ensuring a stable Indo-Pacific order.”