English translation of Prime Minister’s Opening remarks at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit

By PIB Delhi

Your Excellency, President Joko Widodo,
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Namaskar

Our partnership is entering its fourth decade.

In this regard, co-chairing the India-ASEAN Summit brings me great pleasure.

For the splendid organization of this summit, I heartily congratulate and express my gratitude to President Widoḍo.

I also extend my congratulations to the capable leadership of the ASEAN group.

I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister His Excellency Hun Manet of Cambodia for recently assuming office.

I also welcome Prime Minister His Excellency Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste as an Observer in this meeting.

Your Majesty, Excellencies,

Our history and geography connect India and ASEAN.

Along with shared values, regional unity,

Peace, prosperity, and a shared belief in a multipolar world also bind us together.

ASEAN is the central pillar of India’s Act East Policy.

India fully supports ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN holds a prominent place in India’s Indo-Pacific initiative.

Last year, we celebrated the India-ASEAN Friendship Year and elevated our relationship to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.

Your Majesty, Excellencies,

Today, even in an environment of global uncertainties, there is continuous progress in every field in our mutual cooperation.

This is a testament to the strength and resilience of our relationship.

The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit is ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.’

ASEAN matters because here everyone’s voice is heard, and ASEAN is the epicenter of growth because the ASEAN region plays a crucial role in global development.

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – ‘one earth, one family, one future’, this sentiment is also the theme of India’s G-20 Presidency.

Your Majesty, Excellencies,

The 21st century is Asia’s century. It is our century.

For this, it is necessary to build a rule-based post-COVID world order and efforts by all for human welfare.

The progress of a free and open Indo-Pacific and elevating the Voice of Global South is in the common interest of all.

I believe that today’s discussions will lead to new resolutions for strengthening the future of India and the ASEAN region.

Country Coordinator Singapore, upcoming Chair Lao PDR, and with all of you,

India is committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with you.

Thank you.