ASEAN and India have launched a new joint declaration at the Foreign Affairs Meeting in order to deepen their relations, which resulted from the 22nd Foreign Ministers Meeting of the ASEAN-India Consultation. The joint declaration sets out the main issues that both parties have in common, such as regional stability, security, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. Several collaborations, like trade and investment, digital innovation, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchange, were offered by the ministers to take to the next level.
In the security sector, they promised to uprate cooperation in the fight against such crimes as terrorism, cybercrime, climate change, and pandemics. Besides, the members advocated the respect of international law, sovereignty, and maritime rules, acknowledging that there was a significant issue of balance in managing the security of the region. The joint statement reflected the support of members for ASEAN’s dedicated role in the Indo-Pacific framework and the idea of India playing an active part in this scenario.
On the economic side, the counterparts agreed that to heal from the aftershocks of the global economy, it was necessary to liberalize trade, build supply chain that is strong against the crisis, and foster a low-carbon growth model. The two parties committed to looking into new areas of cooperation, such as clean energy, digital economy, and sustainable infrastructure, to spread the benefits of growth throughout the region.
The joint communiqué further emphasized concerns over global disorder, underscoring the importance of respecting international institutions and multilateralism. With this reinforced basis in political and strategic affairs, ASEAN and India are not only neighbors but aligned partners, committed to co-shaping the region’s future.
