Prime Minister co-chairs the 18th India-ASEAN Summit

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has participated in the 18th India-ASEAN Summit.

About 18th India-ASEAN Summit

The 18th ASEAN-India Summit was held via video conference. The Summit was chaired by the Sultan of Brunei, the current Chair of ASEAN.

What are the key highlights of the summit?

Firstly, the summit highlighted the milestone of the 30th anniversary of the India-ASEAN Partnership. It announced the Year 2022 as India-ASEAN Friendship Year.

Secondly, building upon the synergies between ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative(IPOI), PM and ASEAN leaders welcomed the adoption of the India-ASEAN Joint Statement on cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Thirdly, to further strengthen India-ASEAN cultural connectivity, the Prime Minister announced India’s support for establishing the ASEAN Cultural Heritage List.

Fourthly, on COVID-19, the PM highlighted that India has contributed medical supplies worth USD 200,000 to ASEAN’s humanitarian initiative for Myanmar and USD 1 million for ASEAN’s Covid-19 Response Fund.

Lastly, on trade and investment, the PM underlined the importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains for post-COVID economic recovery and in this regard, the need to revamp the India-ASEAN FTA.

Source: This post is based on the article “Prime Minister co-chairs the 18th India-ASEAN Summit” published in “PIB” on 28th October 2021.