India-ASEAN ties making steady progress, says PM, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• PM Narendra Modi highlighted the steady progress of the India-ASEAN strategic partnership despite global uncertainties.
• ASEAN is considered a cultural partner of India, with deepened cooperation in maritime security planned for 2026.
• Timor-Leste was welcomed as the newest member of ASEAN.
• The ASEAN-India summit was co-chaired by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.
• Discussions included finalizing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and implementing the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026-2030.
• 2026 will be declared "ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation" to deepen maritime relations.

Detailed Insights:

• The India-ASEAN relationship is built on friendship, trust, and shared interests, with both sides representing nearly one-fourth of the global population.
• AITIGA aims to unleash the full economic potential of the India-ASEAN relationship, focusing on trade, investment, education, food security, and technological development.
• India and ASEAN are companions in the Global South, collaborating to advance digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains.
• India actively participates in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities in the ASEAN region, strengthening maritime relations.
• Cooperation extends to education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity, emphasizing shared cultural heritage and people-to-people ties.
• The need for unity in fighting terrorism was emphasized, highlighting the danger posed by terrorism.

Key Concepts Involved:

• ASEAN: A regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries that promotes intergovernmental cooperation.
• AITIGA: A trade agreement between ASEAN and India to reduce trade barriers and promote economic cooperation.
• Global South: A term used to refer to countries with developing or less developed economies, primarily located in the Southern Hemisphere.