ASEAN Summit: Modi Declares 2026 Maritime Year

At the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, leaders pursued intensified bilateral and regional cooperation across security, trade and connectivity issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking virtually, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged stronger maritime cooperation in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo‑Pacific and announced 2026 as the “ASEAN‑India Maritime Cooperation Year” to deepen work on maritime security, the blue economy, disaster response, cybersecurity and resilient supply chains. Lao Prime Minister Sonexay met Vietnam’s Pham Minh Chinh to deepen transport and energy links, held talks with Canada’s Mark Carney on unexploded ordnance clearance and Canada’s support as Laos prepares to chair the 2026 Convention on Cluster Munitions review, and paid a courtesy call on Brunei’s Sultan. Leaders also discussed economic stability and trade — responding to looming U.S. tariffs and supply‑chain risks, promoting frameworks like RCEP, while analyses showed ASEAN’s share of India’s trade steady but imports from ASEAN outpacing Indian exports, widening a deficit driven by electronics and metals. ASEAN explored deepening strategic partnerships with external partners, including expanded ROK cooperation on cybersecurity, maritime collaboration and disaster management, and Australia’s push for greater market access accompanied by AU$225 million in new investment and infrastructure funds. Vietnam signalled support for resuming inter‑Korean dialogue and denuclearisation, and leaders reiterated commitments to counterterrorism, cyber‑fraud prevention and pragmatic engagement with major powers while preserving ASEAN centrality.