In a significant move that charts a new course for regional partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that 2026 will be celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. This landmark declaration came during the ASEAN-India Summit, signaling a deepened commitment to ocean-based collaboration between India and Southeast Asian nations.
A New Era of Oceanic Partnership
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that this initiative represents much more than symbolic cooperation. "Our shared maritime heritage and future are intertwined," the Prime Minister stated during his address. "The coming together of India and ASEAN in this maritime partnership will create waves of prosperity and security across the Indian Ocean region."
Pillars of Cooperation
The maritime cooperation framework is expected to focus on several key areas:
- Maritime Security: Enhanced coordination in combating piracy, terrorism, and other security threats in regional waters
- Blue Economy Development: Joint initiatives in sustainable fishing, marine biotechnology, and ocean resource management
- Disaster Response: Improved coordination for tsunami and cyclone early warning systems and emergency response
- Marine Connectivity: Strengthened shipping routes and port infrastructure cooperation
- Environmental Protection: Collaborative efforts to combat marine pollution and protect coastal ecosystems
Strategic Importance
This announcement comes at a crucial time when the Indo-Pacific region has become the focal point of global geopolitical attention. The ASEAN-India maritime partnership aims to create a stable, secure, and prosperous maritime domain that benefits all nations in the region.
"The seas have connected our civilizations for centuries," PM Modi noted. "Now, they will connect our shared destiny for the coming decades."
Building on Existing Foundations
The 2026 maritime cooperation year will build upon existing initiatives between India and ASEAN, including the ongoing SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy and various bilateral naval exercises. This structured approach ensures that the partnership delivers tangible benefits to all participating nations.
As India continues to strengthen its Act East policy, this maritime cooperation framework represents one of the most concrete manifestations of the country's commitment to being a reliable partner in regional security and economic development.
