PM Modi calls ASEAN "main pillar of India's Act East Policy", welcomes Timor-Leste as its newest member

During his virtual address at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, PM Modi said, "India and ASEAN together represent one-fourth of the global population. We not only share geography, we share deep historic relations and shared values. We are part of the global south. ASEAN is the main pillar of India's Act East Policy."

Introduced in 1992, the Look East policy focused primarily on economic ties with Southeast Asia. With the changing dynamics of the world, PM Modi, in 2014, introduced a new vigour in India's foreign policy and transformed the Look East Policy into a more dynamic Act East Policy (AEP), emphasising stronger action and outcomes.

Addressing the ASEAN summit, PM Modi congratulated Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for successfully organising the 47th ASEAN summit under its chairmanship and expressed condolences over the demise of Thailand's Queen Mother.

He further emphasised the shared historical, cultural, and economic ties between India and ASEAN nations, which together represent one-fourth of the global population.

"I have again got an opportunity to join my ASEAN family. I congratulate PM Anwar Ibrahim for a successful organisation of the ASEAN Summit... I welcome Timor-Leste as the newest member of ASEAN. I express my condolences on the demise of Thailand's Queen Mother," the Prime Minister said.

Earlier today, Timor-Leste became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This is ASEAN's first expansion in 26 years since Cambodia was admitted in 1999. The island nation had applied for membership in 2011.

PM Modi also reiterated India's support for ASEAN centrality and its outlook on the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the continuous growth of the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amid global uncertainties.

"During these times of uncertainty, the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continuously increased. Our strong partnership is emerging as the basis for global stability and development," he stated.

Speaking on the summit theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', PM Modi reflected on joint priorities in digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains, underlining India's commitment to these shared goals and highlighting collaboration in disaster response, maritime security, and the blue economy.

"India supports this and is committed to moving ahead in this direction. India has always stood strong with its ASEAN partners in every disaster. Our collaboration in HADR, sea security, and the blue economy is rapidly increasing," he added.

The Prime Minister also declared 2026 as the 'Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation', aimed at deepening ties in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security.

"The 21st century is our century. It is India and ASEAN's century," PM Modi further asserted, expressing confidence that initiatives like "ASEAN Community Vision 2045" and "Viksit Bharat 2047" will create a brighter future for humanity.

Prime Minister Modi has participated in all ASEAN-India Summits since 2014 (including the 2018 Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi in January 2018), except in 2022.

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, with founding members including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietna,m and, most recently, Timor-Leste are its members.

The ASEAN Charter provides legal status and an institutional framework, and entered into force in 2008. The ASEAN Secretariat, set up in February 1976, is based in Jakarta.

Malaysia is the ASEAN Chair for 2025, and the Philippines will be the Chair in 2026. India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" (Secretary-level interaction) and subsequently as a "Dialogue Partner" in 1995. (ANI)