New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 18th ASEAN summit on Thursday via virtual conference. PM Modi began his address by focusing on the challenges faced by the countries during the Covid pandemic and said that mutual cooperation has helped the world fight the pandemic.


PM Modi said, "Due to Covid 19, all of us had to face a lot of challenges, this challenging time was also a test of India-ASEAN friendship. Our mutual cooperation in COVID era will keep strengthening our relations in the future and form a base for goodwill between our people."


PM Modi further said that history proves that India and ASEAN have had vibrant relations for thousands of years. If you look back on the past years, it shows glimpses of the shared values, traditions, languages, texts, architecture, culture, food, and drink. And that is why the unity and centrality of ASEAN have always been an important priority for India.


PM Modi further said that the year 2022 will mark the completion of 30 years of India's partnership with ASEAN and India will also complete 75 years of its independence which calls for a celebration. Hence, to mark this important milestone India will celebrate 2022 as 'ASEAN-India Friendship Year'.


PM Modi said at ASEAN Summit, "In 2022, our partnership would complete 30 years. India will also complete 75 years of its independence. I am delighted that we will celebrate this important milestone as ASEAN-India Friendship Year: PM Narendra Modi at India-ASEAN Summit."


On Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated at the 16th East Asia Summit  and said India remained committed to strengthening respect for shared values of multilateralism, rules-based international order, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

In a virtual address, Modi also reaffirmed India's focus on a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and support for ASEAN's centrality in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the prime minister highlighted India's efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccines and medical supplies besides speaking about the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaign for post-pandemic recovery and ensuring resilient global value chains.

It said he emphasised on the establishment of a better balance between economy and ecology and climate sustainable lifestyle.