Modi Reaffirms India’s Commitment to ASEAN Centrality and Indo-Pacific Stability During Malaysia Visit

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 8 :  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed New Delhi’s strong commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the region’s growing importance as a global economic engine.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday, Modi said India remains committed to promoting peace, development, and security across the Indo-Pacific region in partnership with ASEAN countries.

“The Indo-Pacific region is emerging as a global growth engine. Together with ASEAN, we are committed to development, peace, and stability across the Indo-Pacific. India gives priority to ASEAN centrality,” Modi said.

He added that India would continue to expand ties and cooperation with ASEAN partners, including Malaysia, and called for the early conclusion of the review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

Modi also stressed the need for reforms in global institutions to reflect the current international landscape and reiterated India’s firm stance on counter-terrorism.

“Our message on terrorism is clear: no double standards, no compromise,” he said.

Highlighting the long-standing ties between the two nations, Modi said Malaysia and India share deep-rooted historical, cultural, and democratic values. He noted that Malaysia is home to the second-largest Indian diaspora in the world, and the two countries have enjoyed close maritime and people-to-people links for centuries.

Earlier, both leaders held a bilateral meeting and witnessed the exchange of 11 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and related documents covering various sectors of cooperation, including a joint audio-visual production agreement. Modi said the agreement would help strengthen cultural ties through film and music, particularly Tamil cinema.

Modi is in Malaysia for a two-day official visit from Feb 7 to Feb 8 at the invitation of Anwar. The visit follows Anwar’s official trip to India in August 2024 and builds on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established between the two countries in August 2024.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1957, Malaysia and India have steadily expanded cooperation based on mutual respect and shared values.