What Is 12-Points Plan To Strengthen ASEAN-India Cooperation?

Modi’s visit to Jakarta for the ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit is part of India’s efforts to strengthen ties with ASEAN countries and promote regional cooperation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a 12-point plan to strengthen cooperation between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The plan covers various areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, and counter-terrorism.

Indian PM Modi emphasized the need for a rules-based post-Covid-19 world order and highlighted the common interests of India and ASEAN in amplifying the voices of the Global South and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The 12-point plan includes establishing multi-modal connectivity and an economic corridor linking India, Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Europe.

India also offered to share its expertise in digital public infrastructure with ASEAN partners and announced the creation of an “ASEAN-India fund for digital future.”

Other measures in the plan include cooperation in disaster management, maritime safety and security, and domain awareness. India also pledged support to the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and offered to share its expertise in providing affordable and quality medicines.

ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East policy and expressed full support for ASEAN centrality and its outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

During the summit, Modi announced India’s decision to open an embassy in the capital of Timor-Leste. The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste attended the summit as an observer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a busy schedule ahead of the G20 Summit. He had left for Jakarta on September 6 to participate in the ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit.

Also Read:- G20: How India Has Became A Significant Voice Of Global South

Before leaving, he chaired meetings with the Council of Ministers and Cabinet Ministers. He spent 7 hours on a flight and reached Jakarta today (on September 7) at 3 am IST.

Currently, he is participating in the ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit. After the meetings, he will depart for the airport and return to Delhi on the same day.

The ASEAN-India Summit aims to review the progress of India-ASEAN relations and discuss future cooperation. The East Asia Summit has provided an opportunity for leaders from ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners, including India, to discuss regional and global issues.

PM Modi will also have important bilateral meetings with three countries, including US President Joe Biden, on September 8.

The G20 Summit will take place in Delhi on September 9-10. The summit will bring together leaders from the world’s major economies to discuss important global issues.