PM Modi raises counter terror, early review of ASEAN-India FTA at 22nd Asean Sum

India and ASEAN nations strengthened their bond at the 22nd ASEANIndia Summit on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted key areas for collaboration counterterrorism early review of the ASEANIndia FTA maritime security among othersThe Prime Minister stated that terrorism poses a serious challenge to global peace and security and stressed the importance of unity in the fight against it according to the Ministry of External Affairs press releasePM Modi participated virtually in the Summit The Prime Minister and ASEAN leaders jointly reviewed progress in ASEANIndia relations and discussed initiatives to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership This was the Prime Ministers 12th participation in the IndiaASEAN SummitPrime Minister emphasised that early review of the ASEANIndia FTA AITIGA can unleash the full economic potential of our relationship for the benefit of our peoples and further strengthen regional cooperationIn support of the Malaysian Chairs theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability PM Modi announced extended support for the implementation of the ASEANIndia Plan of Action to implement the ASEANIndia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 20262030 and the adoption of the ASEANIndia Joint Leaders Statement on Sustainable Tourism to strengthen tourism cooperation as we celebrate the ASEANIndia Year of TourismPM Modi hailed the designation of the year 2026 as the ASEANIndia Year of Maritime Cooperation to forge partnerships in blue economy and proposed to organise the Second ASEANIndia Defence Ministers Meeting and the Second ASEANIndia Maritime Exercise for a secure maritime environment added the releaseIndia will continue its role as a First Responder in times of crisis in the neighbourhood and further strengthen cooperation in Disaster Preparedness and HADR and training of 400 professionals in renewable energy for supporting the ASEAN Power Grid initiative and extending Quick Impact Projects QIPs to Timor Leste said PM ModiThe Prime Minister congratulated TimorLeste on becoming the 11th Member of ASEAN welcomed the delegation at its first ASEANIndia Summit as a full member of ASEAN and conveyed Indias continued support for TimorLestes human developmentHe also proposed that India train ASEAN professionals establish SE Asia Centre at Nalanda University Reiterating Indias support for ASEAN Unity ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the IndoPacific Prime Minister complimented ASEAN on the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045He proposed the establishment of a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University to develop regional expertise and support ongoing cooperation in education energy science and technology fintech and cultural preservation and emphasised the need for increasing cooperation in infrastructure semiconductor emerging technologies rare earths and critical minerals added the releaseHe also proposed holding the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal Gujarat and a conference on Maritime Security CooperationPM Modi also thanked Malaysias Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his flexibility in hosting the 22nd ASEANIndia Summit virtually and for making excellent arrangements for the meeting The Prime Minister also thanked President Marcos Jr for the Philippines effective country coordinationASEAN leaders appreciated Indias longstanding support for ASEAN and its continued commitment to deepen engagement with the region through its Act East Policy added the release