Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: THE 47th Asean Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 26-28, focused on strengthening regional economic integration, cooperation on sustainable development, and addressing geopolitical challenges.
Addressing the summit virtually on its opening day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing partnership with Asean and declared that the 21st century is a shared era of opportunity for both. “The 21st century is our century. It is India and Asean’s century,” PM Modi said. “I am confident that the goals of ‘Asean Community Vision 2045’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ will create a brighter and more prosperous future for all humanity,” he added.
A major highlight of the summit was the US granting zero pc import tariffs on certain products from Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia, reversing earlier tariffs and boosting trade ties. The summit also advanced agreements like Asean Plus Three and East Asia Summit; emphasising innovation, clean energy, food security, digital transition, and transnational crime.
The Asean-India Summit underscored expanding digital collaboration, enhancing connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, and called for reviewing trade agreements to boost economic growth. Overall, the summit reinforced regional solidarity, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships to face shared challenges and foster prosperity in Southeast Asia.
