PM declares '26 as Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday noted that the cooperation between India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is growing rapidly in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security and blue economy and declared 2026 as 'Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.'

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Malaysia, as the Chair of Asean, is hosting the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability" in Kuala Lumpur from Oct.26-28.

While delivering opening remarks during the Asean-India Summit virtually, Modi said, "India has stood firmly with its Asean friends in every crisis. Our cooperation in HADR, maritime security, and the blue economy is growing rapidly. In light of this, we are declaring 2026 as the "Asean-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. Along with this, we are strongly promoting bilateral cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security... 21st century is our century. It is India and Asean's century."

Calling Asean the main pillar of India's Act East Policy, the Prime Minister expressed New Delhi's support for Asean centrality. He stated that the partnership between India and Asean is emerging as a "powerful foundation for global stability and growth."