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India, ASEAN Boost Strategic Ties, Mark 2026 as Year of Maritime Cooperation

India and ASEAN held their 28th Senior Officials' Meeting in Manila to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The meeting reviewed progress from the 2025 summit and formally designated 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The partners adopted a joint leaders' statement committing to promote eco-friendly and responsible sustainable tourism. This includes a focus on the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" model and eliminating single-use plastics within the sector.

Key Points: India-ASEAN Strengthen Partnership, Focus on Maritime Cooperation

  • Review of 2025 summit decisions
  • 2026 named ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation
  • Adoption of Joint Statement on Sustainable Tourism
  • Focus on 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' in tourism
  • Commitment to eliminate single-use plastics
2 min read

India-ASEAN discuss ways to strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during senior officials' meet

India and ASEAN review strategic partnership progress, designate 2026 for maritime cooperation and adopt a joint statement on sustainable tourism.

"The 21st century belongs to India and ASEAN - Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

Manila, April 9

India and ASEAN held the 28th Senior Officials' Meet in Manila which saw discussions on ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The 28th ASEAN-India Senior Officials' Meeting was Co-chaired by Secretary (East), Shri P. Kumaran & Undersecretary for Policy, Mr. Leo M. Herrera-Lim, @DFAPHL in Manila, Philippines."

Jaiswal further noted, "The meeting reviewed progress in the implementation of decisions of ASEAN-India Summit held in October 2025 and discussed ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as we mark the year 2026 as ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation."

In his virtual address to the summit in October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the 21st century belongs to India and ASEAN, describing the bloc as a major pillar of India's Act East Policy. He also declared 2026 as the Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation to strengthen regional connectivity and ocean-based economic activities.

India and the leaders from ASEAN member states had adopted the "ASEAN-India Joint Leaders' Statement on Sustainable Tourism", reaffirming their commitment to promote eco-friendly, inclusive, and responsible tourism across the region, emphasising environmental sustainability and pollution reduction as key priorities under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two parties.

According to the statement, issued following the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the leaders agreed to adopt the "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" model, promote Travel for "LiFE actions", and ensure sustainable, pro-planet practices in the tourism sector.

The statement called for optimal use of land and water resources, minimising overcrowding and overuse of natural assets, and promoting biodiversity-friendly tourism practices. It also encouraged the elimination of single-use plastics, sustainable sourcing, and improved destination management to ensure long-term environmental stewardship.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Good to see the focus on sustainable tourism. Our own states like Kerala and Goa can learn and share best practices with ASEAN countries. The 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' model should be implemented seriously, not just on paper.
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Aman W
While the strategic partnership is important, I hope these discussions also translate into tangible economic benefits for the common people—more job opportunities, easier trade for small businesses, and better connectivity for students and tourists.
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Sarah B
The emphasis on eliminating single-use plastics in tourism is commendable. Many popular destinations in India and Southeast Asia are drowning in plastic waste. Hope this partnership leads to real action and cleaner beaches and heritage sites.
V
Vikram M
Maritime cooperation is the key. We share the Indian Ocean with many ASEAN nations. Joint exercises, disaster management, and securing sea lanes will benefit everyone's security and economy. A strong partnership here is non-negotiable.
K
Kriti O
Respectfully, I read these statements every year. The goals on paper are excellent—sustainability, partnership, connectivity. But the implementation often lags. I'll be more impressed when I see clear, measurable outcomes from these meetings affecting ground reality.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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