PM Modi declares 2026 as ‘ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation’, highlights growing ties in security and blue economy

‘21st century is India and ASEAN’s century’: Modi announces landmark maritime cooperation year

October 26, 2025

“21st century is India and ASEAN’s century,” said PM Modi as he declared 2026 the ‘ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.’

PM Modi calls ASEAN ‘main pillar’ of Act East Policy, declares 2026 as Year of Maritime Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that 2026 will be observed as the ‘ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation’, underscoring the rapidly growing partnership between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in key areas such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy.

Delivering his opening remarks virtually at the ASEAN-India Summit, PM Modi said India has “stood firmly with its ASEAN friends in every crisis,” and reaffirmed that cooperation between the two sides continues to expand in multiple dimensions.
“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,” Modi stated.

“Along with this, we are strongly promoting bilateral cooperation 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,” he added.

Calling ASEAN the main pillar of India’s Act East Policy, Modi reiterated New Delhi’s support for ASEAN centrality and its Indo-Pacific outlook. He emphasised that the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has made steady progress despite global uncertainty, describing it as a “powerful foundation for global stability and growth.”

Highlighting deep historical and cultural ties, PM Modi said India and ASEAN together represent nearly a quarter of the world’s population. “We not only share geography but also shared values and history. We are fellow travellers of the Global South,” he said.

The Prime Minister also praised this year’s ASEAN Summit theme — ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ — noting that it reflects shared efforts in digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains amid global challenges.

PM Modi extended his congratulations to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for successfully hosting the summit, and thanked Philippines President Bongbong Marcos for serving as the country coordinator for India. He also congratulated Timor-Leste on joining ASEAN and offered condolences to the people and royal family of Thailand on the passing of Queen Mother Sirikit.

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