Emphasizing that the 'Act East' policy has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relations between India and Southeast Asian countries during the last decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the 21st century was the "Asian century" for the countries of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"We are neighbors, fellow members of the Global South, and the fastest growing region of the world. We are peace-loving countries, respect each other's national integrity and sovereignty, and are committed to a bright future for our youth," PM Modi said in his opening remarks at the India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, shortly after his arrival in Laos.
"I believe that the 21st century is the Asian century of India and ASEAN countries. Today, when there is a situation of conflict and tension in many parts of the world, the friendship, coordination, dialogue and cooperation between India and ASEAN remain very important," he added.
Prime Minister Modi announced a 10-point plan to strengthen connectivity and resilience at the Summit based on the theme of Laos as the 2024 ASEAN Chair and in celebration of 10 years of 'Act East'.
The 10-point plan strengthens the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership, enhancing physical, digital, cultural, and spiritual connectivity towards achieving cyber, disaster, supply chain, health, and climate resilience.
Focusing on 'ASEAN-India Year of Tourism' to be celebrated in 2025, for which India would provide USD 5 million towards joint activities; marking a decade of 'Act East' policy through a series of people-centric activities such as youth summit, start-up festival, hackathon, music festival, ASEAN-India network of think tanks and Delhi Dialogue; holding ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under 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.
The Prime Minister's 10-point plan also includes review of ASEAN-India trade in Goods Agreement by 2025; enhancing Disaster Resilience for which India would make available USD 5 million; initiation of a new Health Ministers' track towards building health resilience; a regular mechanism of ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue towards strengthening digital and cyber resilience; holding of a workshop on green hydrogen; and, inviting ASEAN leaders to join 'Plant a Tree for Mother' campaign towards building climate resilience.
"10 years ago, I declared India's 'Act East' policy. This policy in the last decade has infused a new energy, direction and momentum to the old relationship between India and ASEAN countries. Bestowing importance to the centrality of ASEAN, last year we initiated the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. It complements the 'ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific'. Last year, we initiated maritime exercises for regional security and stability. Our trade with the ASEAN region has nearly doubled over the last 10 years to more than $130 billion," said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister emphasized to ASEAN leaders that India stands in support of ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
"In the ASEAN region, Singapore was the very first country with which we established FinTech connectivity. And now this success is being replicated in other countries also. A people-centric approach is the basis of our development partnership. More than 300 ASEAN students have been able to benefit from scholarships at Nalanda University. A network of universities has been launched. Work has been done to conserve common heritage and heritage in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia," underlined PM Modi.
He claimed, be it the Covid pandemic or natural disasters, this grouping has helped each other by taking up humanitarian responsibilities.
"Science and Technology fund, Digital fund and Green fund have been established for cooperation in various fields. India has contributed more than $30 million to these. As a result, today our collaboration extends from underwater to space. That is, in the last decade our participation has broadened in every way. And, it is a matter of happiness that in 2022 we gave it the status of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," said PM Modi while also mentioning that there is now direct flight connectivity from India with seven ASEAN countries, with direct flights starting soon from Brunei also.
Further reflecting further commitments to advancing cooperation, the Leaders of ASEAN and India then adopted the 'Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region' in the Context of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the Support of India's Act East Policy (AEP).
Recognizing that technology can enable rapid transformation for bridging the digital divide in the region and help accelerate progress toward inclusive and sustainable development, PM Modi and the Leaders of ASEAN also adopted the 'ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation'.
