Modi announces 2026 as 'ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation'

He announced 2026 as the 'ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation”.

While speaking at the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, Modi said: "At the same time, we are steadily advancing our cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security. We will continue to work together to preserve our shared cultural heritage and strengthen people-to-people ties."

He said, "The 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN. I am confident that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 will build a bright future for all of humanity. Alongside all of you, India is committed to working shoulder to shoulder in this direction."

Modi said India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to make steady progress in the age of uncertainties.

The Indian PM said: "We are companions in the Global South. We are not only commercial partners but also cultural partners. ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy. India has always fully supported ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s outlook in the Indo-Pacific."

He said India and ASEAN together represent nearly one-fourth of the world’s population and share deep historical ties and values.

In his speech, Modi congratulated  Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the successful chairmanship of ASEAN.

"I thank President Marcos of the Philippines for efficiently fulfilling the role of India’s country coordinator. And I warmly welcome Timor-Leste as the newest member of ASEAN," he said.

Asia’s youngest nation, East Timor, has officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking the bloc’s first expansion since the 1990s.

ASEAN announced the inclusion of East Timor — also known as Timor-Leste — during the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held on October 26, 2025.