Twenty First Century Belongs To India And ASEAN: PM Modi At 22nd India-ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a virtual address to the 47th ASEAN Summit 2025 on Sunday (26 October), declaring that the 21st century belongs to India and the ASEAN nations, reported Hindustan Times.

He highlighted India’s growing strategic, economic, and cultural ties with the 10-member bloc and outlined a vision for a shared, inclusive, and sustainable future with Southeast Asia. Modi emphasized that ASEAN forms a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy.

“The 21st century is our century. It is India and ASEAN's century. I am confident that the aim of 'ASEAN Community Vision 2045' and 'Viksit Bharat 2047' will develop a bright future for the entire humanity,” PM Modi said.

He detailed India’s cooperation with ASEAN in disaster response, maritime security, and the blue economy. PM Modi also announced that 2026 will mark the ‘Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation,’ signalling a new phase of bilateral engagement across the Indian Ocean.

On Thursday (24 October), Modi shared highlights of his discussion with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In a post on X, he wrote, "Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of the upcoming Summits."

Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chair for 2025, while the Philippines will assume the role in 2026. India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" and became a "Dialogue Partner" in 1995.

Since 2014, Modi has attended all ASEAN-India Summits except in 2022, including the Commemorative Summit in New Delhi in January 2018. Leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries also attended the 69th Republic Day Parade as India’s guests of honour.

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