India ASEAN Relations | PM Modi Unveils 10-Point Plan

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled a 10-point plan at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024, held in Vientiane, Laos, highlighting the growing importance of India ASEAN cooperation amid regional and global uncertainties. The summit brought together all 10 ASEAN member states, focusing on strengthening economic, strategic, and cultural ties between India and Southeast Asia.

Key Highlights of the Summit

• PM Modi emphasized that dialogue and cooperation between India and ASEAN are critical during a time of conflict and geopolitical tension, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
• On the sidelines of the summit, Modi met with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, underlining the shared interest in regional stability and economic collaboration.
• The summit took place amid ongoing challenges, including the civil war in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to dialogue despite regional conflicts.
• Myanmar sent Permanent Secretary Aung Kyaw Moe as its first high-level representative in three years, after ASEAN had barred political representatives since late 2021.

India ASEAN 10-Point Plan

Aligned with the summit theme ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’, PM Modi’s 10-point agenda aims to strengthen India ASEAN ties across multiple sectors:

1. ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025 – India will provide USD 5 million to promote joint tourism activities, enhancing people-to-people connections.
2. Celebrating a Decade of Act East Policy – Initiatives include youth summits, start-up festivals, hackathons, music festivals, think tank collaborations, and the Delhi Dialogue to foster innovation and engagement.
3. ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave – Facilitated under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund, this initiative promotes women’s participation in STEM across the region.
4. Scholarships Expansion – India will double scholarships at Nalanda University and offer new scholarships at agricultural universities for ASEAN students, strengthening educational and cultural exchange.
5. Trade Agreement Review – India and ASEAN will review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025 to enhance regional trade relations.
6. Disaster Resilience Funding – India pledges USD 5 million to support disaster preparedness and resilience across ASEAN nations.
7. Health Ministers’ Track – A new collaborative platform will be initiated to build health resilience in the region.
8. ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue – Regular dialogue mechanisms will strengthen digital and cybersecurity cooperation.
9. Green Hydrogen Workshop – Promotes sustainable energy collaboration and research in emerging green technologies.
10. Climate Action Initiative – ASEAN leaders are invited to join India’s ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign, enhancing climate resilience and environmental awareness.

Strategic Outcomes of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit

• The Joint Statement reinforced the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on regional peace, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cybersecurity.
• Both sides emphasized full implementation of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea and the need for an effective Code of Conduct (COC) under UNCLOS 1982.
• India-ASEAN trade has doubled in the past decade, surpassing USD 130 billion, with India emerging as ASEAN’s sixth largest trading partner and eighth largest source of FDI among dialogue partners.
• Investments under Global Value Chains (GVCs) between India and ASEAN have exceeded USD 125 billion (2000–2023), reflecting deepening economic integration.
• Collaboration in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Quantum Computing, and 6G was emphasized.
• The Reserve Bank of India joined Project Nexus, linking India’s UPI with Singapore’s PayNow to enable real-time cross-border payments.
• Both sides reaffirmed support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Act East Policy, strengthening regional stability and prosperity.

About ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. ASEAN’s motto is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”, with headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.

• Chairmanship rotates annually based on member states’ alphabetical order.
• ASEAN Summit serves as the highest policy-making body, convening twice a year to set regional directions.

ASEAN Ministerial Councils

ASEAN has four ministerial councils to support the summit:

1. ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC)
2. ASEAN Political-Security Community Council
3. ASEAN Economic Community Council
4. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council

ASEAN Member States

• Founding Members: Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
• Other Members: Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Lao PDR (1997), Myanmar (1997), Cambodia (1999)

Conclusion

The 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024 reinforced the significance of India ASEAN relations, with PM Modi’s 10-point plan highlighting trade, technology, education, disaster resilience, and climate action. As India’s engagement with ASEAN deepens, the partnership promises stronger economic ties, strategic cooperation, and cultural exchange, contributing to regional stability, resilience, and shared prosperity.

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