BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Prime Minister co-chairs the 18th India-ASEAN Summit

BANDAR
SERI BEGAWAN: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today
participated in the 18th India-ASEAN Summit at the invitation of His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the current Chair of ASEAN. The Summit
was held virtually and saw participation from the Leaders of ASEAN Member
States.

Highlighting the milestone of 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN Partnership, the
leaders announced the Year 2022 as India-ASEAN Friendship Year. Prime Minister
underlined the centrality of ASEAN in India’s Act East Policy and in India’s
Vision for the wider Indo-Pacific Vision. Building upon the synergies between
the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans
Initiative (IPOI), PM and ASEAN leaders welcomed the adoption of the
India-ASEAN Joint Statement on cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity
in the region.

On COVID-19, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s efforts in the fight
against the pandemic in the region and also reiterated support for ASEAN’s
initiatives in this regard. India has contributed medical supplies worth USD
200,000 to ASEAN’s humanitarian initiative for Myanmar and USD 1 million for
ASEAN’s Covid-19 Response Fund.

The leaders exchanged views on enhancing India-ASEAN connectivity in broadest
terms including physical, digital and people to people. To further strengthen
India-ASEAN cultural connectivity, Prime Minister announced India’s support for
establishing the ASEAN Cultural Heritage List. On trade and investment, he
underlined the importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains
for post-COVID economic recovery and in this regard, the need to revamp the
India-ASEAN FTA.

The ASEAN leaders appreciated India’s role as a trusted partner in the region
especially during the current Covid-19 Pandemic with its supply of vaccine.
They also welcomed India’s support to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific and
looked forward to greater India-ASEAN cooperation in the region through the
Joint Statement.

The discussions also covered regional and international issues of common
interest and concern, including South China Sea and terrorism. Both sides noted
the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region including through
upholding adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS. The leaders
affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety and
security in the South China Sea, and ensuring freedom of navigation and
overflight.

India and ASEAN share a deep, robust and multifaceted relationship and the 18th
India-ASEAN Summit provided an opportunity to review the various facets of this
relationship and give a direction to the future of the India-ASEAN Strategic
Partnership at the highest level.