 |
|
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of India's friendship with ASEAN nations, highlighting its significance in a world marked by conflicts and tensions. Addressing the 21st India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, Modi proclaimed the 21st century as the era of India and ASEAN, underlining the growing strength and strategic partnership between the two regions.
Modi stressed that the collaboration between India and ASEAN nations is vital in navigating the current global landscape. He underscored that the shared values of peace, sovereignty, and national integrity, along with a commitment to the prosperity of the youth in the region, bind India and ASEAN together. He further pointed to the 'Act East Policy,' initiated ten years ago, as a testament to India's commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region, citing the policy as a catalyst for enhanced economic, cultural, and strategic engagement.
Underscoring the importance of maritime security, Modi mentioned the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiatives launched in 2019, emphasizing their role in promoting regional stability. The prime minister also highlighted the substantial growth in trade between India and ASEAN nations, reaching over USD 130 billion in the past decade, demonstrating the strong economic ties between the two regions.
During the summit, Modi unveiled a comprehensive 10-point action plan aimed at further deepening the India-ASEAN relationship. This plan encompasses a range of initiatives, including the designation of 2025 as the 'ASEAN-India Year of Tourism,' with India pledging USD 5 million to support joint activities. He also announced plans to celebrate a decade of the Act East Policy through a series of people-centric initiatives, such as youth summits, startup festivals, hackathons, music festivals, and the establishment of an ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks and the Delhi Dialogue.
The action plan further encompasses the organization of an ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University, and providing new scholarships for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India. Recognizing the importance of trade, Modi called for a review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025.
Modi also highlighted the need for strengthening disaster resilience, with India pledging USD 5 million towards this effort. He proposed the initiation of a new Health Ministers' track to build health resilience and emphasized the establishment of a regular mechanism for ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue to bolster digital and cyber resilience. A workshop on Green Hydrogen was another initiative announced as part of the action plan. Lastly, PM Modi invited ASEAN leaders to participate in the 'Plant a Tree for Mother' campaign, a symbolic gesture for building climate resilience.
The comprehensive action plan underscores India's commitment to deepening its partnership with ASEAN, recognizing the shared interests and challenges in a complex global environment. The focus on various facets of cooperation, from economic growth to scientific collaboration and environmental sustainability, reflects the multifaceted nature of the India-ASEAN relationship and its potential to contribute to regional and global stability.
Source: ‘INDIA-ASEAN friendship important amid global conflicts’: PM Modi