ASEAN Welcomes India's Commitment to Promote Maritime Cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has welcomed India’s commitment as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner and is encouraging the acceleration of the implementation of concrete initiatives in maritime and energy cooperation. According to an official statement received in Jakarta on Monday, Philippines Deputy Minister for Policy Leo M. Herrera-Lim stated that ASEAN appreciates India’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and energy security amid continuously evolving regional and global dynamics. He emphasised the importance of ensuring a stable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply to support ASEAN’s economic growth and regional resilience. “Now, more than ever, we need to guarantee a reliable energy supply to underpin regional development and stability,” he said. Herrera-Lim highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and India’s Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) as a concrete step in strengthening energy collaboration. He also expressed optimism that the partnership will continue to be expanded and strengthened across various strategic sectors. Meanwhile, India’s Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Periasamy Kumaran, proposed several maritime cooperation programmes focused on sustainable development. These programmes include Blue Economy workshops, the ASEAN-India International Conference on Marine Bioprospecting, training in marine engineering and maritime energy, and training in combating marine pollution for coast guards of ASEAN member states. The Philippines chaired the 28th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting (AISOM), which took place in Pasay City on 13 April. The meeting reaffirmed the ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year 2026 as a reflection of shared commitment to strengthening international law-based maritime governance. This cooperation also refers to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the primary foundation. The Philippines currently serves as the coordinator for ASEAN-India dialogue relations until 2027. The officials assessed that strengthening this cooperation is important for maintaining regional stability while expanding future maritime economic opportunities.