Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a comprehensive 10-point plan aimed at strengthening the partnership between India and ASEAN nations during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit held in Laos. He emphasized the importance of India-ASEAN collaboration, noting that trade between the two regions has doubled over the past decade, exceeding USD 130 billion. Modi also announced a review of the trade in goods agreement to unlock greater economic potential, stating, “The 21st century belongs to India and ASEAN nations.”
Here’s a summary of PM Modi’s 10-point plan to enhance the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership:
- Tourism Collaboration: Celebrating 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, with India contributing USD 5 million for joint activities.
- People-Centric Initiatives: Commemorating a decade of the Act East Policy through youth summits, start-up festivals, hackathons, music festivals, and enhancing the ASEAN-India network of think tanks.
- Women in Science: Hosting an ASEAN-India women scientists’ conclave, backed by the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund.
- Scholarship Expansion: Doubling scholarships at Nalanda University and offering new scholarships for ASEAN students at Indian Agricultural Universities.
- Trade Agreement Review: Conducting a review of the ASEAN-India Trade and Goods Agreement by 2025 to promote economic growth.
- Disaster Resilience: Enhancing disaster preparedness with an additional USD 5 million contribution from India.
- Health Resilience: Introducing a new track for ASEAN-India Health Ministers to promote healthcare collaboration and resilience.
- Cyber Policy: Establishing a regular ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue to improve digital and cyber security.
- Green Hydrogen: Organizing a workshop to explore opportunities in green hydrogen technology.
- Climate Action: Inviting ASEAN leaders to participate in the ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign, aimed at building climate resilience.
