Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur, emphasised the urgent need for a unified global response to combat terrorism. He highlighted that terrorism remains a significant threat to peace and security, affecting nations across the world.In a virtual address, PM Modi underscored the importance of collective action and international cooperation in addressing the root causes of terrorism. He called for strengthened mechanisms to prevent the financing of terrorism and the movement of terrorists across borders.
Prime Minister Modi also pitched for an early review of the India-ASEAN free trade pact, stating that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides is emerging as a powerful foundation for global stability in an era of uncertainties.
The prime minister also declared 2026 as the āASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperationā and reaffirmed New Delhiās strong support to the groupingās centrality in the Indo-Pacific, a region that has witnessed growing Chinese military assertiveness.
Modi emphasised that an āearly review of the ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA) can unleash the full economic potential of our relationship for the benefit of our peoples and further strengthen regional cooperationā, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).