Vietnam PM Proposes Economic Connectivity and Maritime Cooperation to Advance ASEAN-India Relations
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed strengthening economic connectivity, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and promoting maritime cooperation to deepen ASEAN-India ties. He emphasized supporting SMEs, high-tech investment, and subregional collaboration. The summit agreed to expedite the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement review and adopted a new action plan for 2026-2030 focusing on sustainable development.
At the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh outlined three key areas to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and India: boosting economic connectivity, increasing people-to-people exchanges, and advancing maritime cooperation. He highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), investments in technology and renewable energy, and strengthening subregional cooperation such as Mekong-Ganga initiatives. Emphasizing the combined economic and demographic weight of ASEAN and India, with over 2 billion people and a GDP nearing USD 8 trillion, Pham reaffirmed Vietnam's support for India's Act East policy and stressed cooperation as essential for regional peace, stability, and sustainable growth. During the summit, leaders agreed to accelerate the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make it more business-friendly and effective. They also adopted the ASEAN-India Action Plan for 2026-2030, which prioritizes digital economy, innovation, clean energy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security, and narrowing development gaps, aiming to foster inclusive and sustainable growth. The summit concluded with a joint commitment to sustainable tourism and advocated for peaceful maritime governance respecting international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
