During the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations–India Summit on 26 October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that 2026 will be observed as the “ASEAN‑India Year of Maritime Cooperation.” This declaration reflects India’s intention to deepen its maritime, security, economic, and cultural ties with the ASEAN bloc, strengthening the maritime dimension of the relationship.
Key Announcements & Themes
In his opening remarks, PM Modi emphasised,
- India’s cooperation with ASEAN in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy is rapidly growing.
- In view of this, India and ASEAN are declaring 2026 as the Year of Maritime Cooperation.
- He also reiterated that the 21st century is our century: India and ASEAN’s century, signalling the strategic depth of the partnership.
- The summit theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” was tied to cooperation in digital inclusion, resilient supply chains, and maritime connectivity.
Hindustan Times
Significance for India–ASEAN Relations
Declaring 2026 as the Year of Maritime Cooperation underscores several strategic vectors.
- Maritime security & Indo‑Pacific focus: It emphasises India’s role in regional maritime order, support for maritime domain awareness, and capacity‑building with ASEAN nations.
- Blue economy & sustainable maritime growth: The blue economy—marine resources, ports, shipping, ocean governance—is a growing area of cooperation.
- Act East Policy reinforcement: ASEAN remains a central pillar of India’s Act East policy; the maritime focus signals deeper strategic integration.
- HADR & resilience partnership: The link to HADR shows the non‑traditional security dimension: disaster response, coastal resilience, climate‑induced maritime risks.
Key Facts
- Event: 22nd ASEAN‑India Summit, 26 October 2025.
- Declaration: 2026 will be the “ASEAN‑India Year of Maritime Cooperation”.
- Focus areas: Maritime security, blue economy, HADR, maritime connectivity, digital inclusion.
- Strategic partner: ASEAN – all 10 member states, central to India’s Indo‑Pacific posture and Act East policy.
- Context: The move aligns with broader India‑ASEAN Plan of Action 2026‑2030 and statements on maritime cooperation.
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