As per an official release, the 21st ASEAN-India Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Marking a decade of India’s Act East Policy, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi joined ASEAN leaders. It was to review the progress of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to chart the future direction of cooperation. This was the Prime Minister’s 11th participation in the Summit.
PM reiterated India’s support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Calling the 21st century as the Asian century, he noted that India-ASEAN ties were critical to guiding Asia’s future.
Emphasizing the vibrancy of India’s Act East Policy, PM noted that in the last ten years, India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over USD 130 billion; ASEAN is today one of India’s largest trade and investment partners; direct flight connectivity established with seven ASEAN countries; promising beginning made with Fin-tech collaboration with the region; and, significant progress made in restoration of shared cultural heritage in five ASEAN countries.
Shri Modi underlined the need to complete the review of ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA) in a time-bound manner towards harnessing greater economic potential for the benefit of the ASEAN-India community.
PM also spoke about the progress in India-ASEAN knowledge partnership through the scholarships provided to ASEAN youth at Nalanda University in India.
In keeping with the Chair’s theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, PM announced a 10-point plan which includes:
Celebrating the year 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism for which India would make available USD 5 million towards joint activities
To celebrate a decade of Act East Policy through several people-centric activities including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks, and Delhi Dialogue
To organize ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund
Doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and provision of new scholarships for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India
Review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025
Enhancing Disaster Resilience for which India would make available USD 5 million
Initiate a new Health Ministers’ track towards building Health Resilience
Initiate a regular mechanism of ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue towards strengthening Digital and Cyber Resilience
Workshop on Green Hydrogen; and,
Invited ASEAN Leaders to join ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign towards building climate resilience
In the meeting, Leaders also agreed to create a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) that will guide both sides in realizing the full potential of the ASEAN-India partnership and adopted 2 Joint Statements:
i) Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region in the Context of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the support of India’s Act East Policy (AEP) – Leaders recognized the contribution of India’s Act East Policy in advancing the partnership between ASEAN and India.
ii) ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation Leaders appreciated India’s leadership in the field of digital transformation and welcomed the partnership with India in digital public infrastructure.
Mr Modi thanked Prime Minister of Laos for successfully hosting the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and for warmth and hospitality. Prime Minister also thanked Singapore for its constructive role as Country Coordinator over the last three years and looked forward to working with the Philippines, the new Country Coordinator for India.
On this occasion, PM Modi also witnessed an episode of Lao Ramayan – called Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram – performed by the prestigious Royal Theatre of Luang Prabang. Ramayan continues to be celebrated in Laos, and the epic reflects the shared heritage and age-old civilization connection between the two countries.
Several facets of Indian culture and tradition have been practiced and preserved in Laos for centuries. The two countries are closely working to illuminate their shared heritage. The Archaeological Survey of India is involved in restoring the Vat Phou temple and related monuments in Laos.
Before the Ramayan performance, PM Modi also participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Lao PDR, led by Most Venerable Mahaveth Masenai, the revered abbot of Si Saket temple in Vientiane. Shared Buddhist heritage represents yet another facet of close civilizational bonds between India and Laos.
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