India-ASEAN Summit
- 11 Oct 2024
On 10th October 2024, at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Laos, the Indian Prime Minister unveiled a 10-point plan to deepen cooperation with ASEAN countries, focusing on regional stability and collaboration amid global tensions.
Key Points
- 10-Point Plan for ASEAN Cooperation: The Indian Prime Minister introduced a comprehensive 10-point plan marking 10 years of India's Act East Policy, which highlights key areas such as tourism, education, disaster management, and cybersecurity to enhance ties with ASEAN nations.
- ASEAN-India Year of Tourism: The Indian PM announced the celebration of 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism and pledged USD 5 million to support collaborative activities, aimed at boosting cultural exchanges and tourism.
- Educational Opportunities for ASEAN Students: The plan also focuses on education, doubling the number of scholarships for ASEAN students at Nalanda University and Indian agricultural universities, and includes the organization of a Women Scientists Conclave.
- Cybersecurity and Digital Cooperation: To strengthen digital resilience, the Indian PM proposed a regular ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue, emphasizing cybersecurity cooperation, and introduced a workshop on Green Hydrogen to promote sustainable energy.
- Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific Region: Both India and ASEAN reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and South China Sea, stressing the importance of maritime safety and international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.
- India-ASEAN Trade: The Indian PM noted that over the last decade, trade between India and ASEAN has nearly doubled, exceeding USD 130 billion, reflecting the growing economic ties between the regions.
