In a landmark diplomatic announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, signaling a new era of partnership between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The announcement came during the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held virtually on October 26, 2025, where leaders from across Southeast Asia and India reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and maritime stability.
A Bold Step Toward Strengthening Maritime Ties
Prime Minister Modi’s declaration underscores the strategic and cultural importance of the seas that connect India and ASEAN nations. The initiative highlights India’s vision of the Indo-Pacific as a region of peace, stability, and shared prosperity. It aims to expand collaboration in maritime security, trade, connectivity, blue economy, and cultural linkages.
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that India has always stood shoulder to shoulder with its ASEAN partners, particularly in times of crisis and natural disasters. He noted that cooperation in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security has been steadily increasing. Declaring 2026 as the Year of Maritime Cooperation, he stated, symbolizes India’s dedication to strengthening these growing partnerships.
India’s Act East Policy and ASEAN’s Central Role
This declaration aligns closely with India’s Act East Policy, which seeks to deepen economic, cultural, and strategic ties with East and Southeast Asian nations. ASEAN lies at the heart of this policy, serving as a bridge between South and East Asia.
The ASEAN-India partnership has evolved over the decades — from a sectoral dialogue in 1992, to a full dialogue partnership in 1996, and a strategic partnership in 2012. With the 2026 maritime initiative, the relationship is entering a new maritime-focused phase aimed at securing the Indo-Pacific and boosting regional growth.
Modi reaffirmed ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture, saying that a stable and integrated ASEAN is vital for the Indo-Pacific region. By emphasizing maritime cooperation, India supports the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which promotes inclusivity, transparency, and respect for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Key Focus Areas for the 2026 Maritime Cooperation Year
The ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation will center around several critical pillars designed to strengthen bilateral and regional ties:
1. Maritime Security and Safety
The initiative will enhance collaboration in joint naval exercises, coast guard coordination, and information sharing to ensure safe sea lanes of communication. India and ASEAN share common interests in maintaining freedom of navigation and upholding maritime rules and norms in the Indo-Pacific.
2. Blue Economy and Sustainable Oceans
Sustainable utilization of ocean resources — often termed the “blue economy” — will be a major area of focus. Both regions will work on joint research projects in marine biodiversity, fisheries management, and renewable ocean energy, ensuring that maritime development remains eco-friendly and inclusive.
3. Connectivity and Trade
Maritime routes serve as the lifelines of ASEAN-India trade. Strengthening port connectivity, logistics infrastructure, and shipping networks will be vital. Initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and proposed sea corridors linking India’s eastern ports with Southeast Asia could receive new momentum under this framework.
4. Cultural and People-to-People Exchange
Maritime ties between India and Southeast Asia are not new — they date back over two millennia. The 2026 initiative will revive these cultural linkages through tourism, education, heritage, and student exchange programs, promoting awareness of shared history and traditions across the Bay of Bengal.
5. Disaster Management and Climate Resilience
The Indian Ocean and South China Sea regions are prone to cyclones, tsunamis, and rising sea levels. Collaborative efforts in disaster response, early warning systems, and climate adaptation strategies will be key priorities in strengthening regional resilience.
Economic and Strategic Significance
The Indo-Pacific region accounts for a major portion of global trade, and the ASEAN-India partnership has become central to regional supply chains. With both regions together representing nearly a quarter of the world’s population, the Year of Maritime Cooperation will accelerate trade and investment opportunities.
Enhanced maritime cooperation also supports India’s efforts to become a global manufacturing hub and a logistics leader. Improved sea connectivity will reduce shipping times, enhance export potential, and strengthen India’s position in global value chains.
Strategically, the announcement reinforces India’s role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific. As geopolitical tensions rise in maritime domains, India’s cooperation with ASEAN ensures collective preparedness, stability, and the promotion of a rules-based maritime order.
Opportunities for Coastal India
For India’s coastal states — such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, and Gujarat — the ASEAN-India maritime cooperation year offers immense potential. Enhanced port infrastructure, trade routes, and logistics projects could drive economic growth and job creation.
The initiative is expected to boost sectors like shipbuilding, port logistics, fisheries, marine research, aquaculture, and coastal tourism. Indian industries could see new export opportunities, particularly in seafood, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and digital services, which are in demand across Southeast Asia.
Challenges Ahead
While the declaration is visionary, several challenges need to be addressed for its success:
- Diverse Priorities: ASEAN comprises 10 member states with varying economic capacities and geopolitical concerns. Aligning these interests into a single maritime strategy requires strong coordination.
- Resource Constraints: Many countries in the region face infrastructure and funding limitations that could slow progress on large-scale maritime projects.
- Geopolitical Tensions: The Indo-Pacific is a zone of strategic competition among major powers. Maintaining neutrality and inclusivity will be essential for the initiative’s credibility.
- Sustainability Goals: Balancing rapid maritime growth with ecological sustainability will require adherence to international environmental norms and responsible ocean practices.
Despite these hurdles, the declaration sets a robust framework for deeper collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026
In 2026, several tangible initiatives are expected to unfold under this cooperation framework:
- Joint naval exercises and maritime security drills.
- Blue economy forums focusing on sustainable fisheries, ocean energy, and marine technology.
- Academic collaborations in maritime education and research.
- Cultural events and maritime heritage celebrations across India and ASEAN countries.
- Policy dialogues and ministerial meetings to strengthen legal and trade frameworks in the maritime domain.
The Year of Maritime Cooperation will not only strengthen the India-ASEAN partnership but also contribute to shaping a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region — a vision shared by both sides.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement declaring 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation is a defining moment in India’s foreign policy and regional diplomacy. It reflects India’s commitment to working with its Southeast Asian partners in securing the seas, promoting trade, and fostering sustainable development.
By focusing on maritime security, connectivity, and the blue economy, the initiative aims to turn the Indo-Pacific into a region of shared growth and prosperity. The coming year could set the stage for a new maritime era — one where India and ASEAN sail together toward peace, progress, and partnership.