The initiative, unveiled at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, covers connectivity, digital transformation, trade, and the economic sphere, to address contemporary challenges, boost people-to-people contacts, and deepen strategic engagement.

The 12-item plan includes, among the suggestions, establishing a multi-modal connectivity and economic corridor to link Southeast Asia-India-West Asia-Europe, and sharing India’s Digital Public Infrastructure with the ASEAN countries.

Modi also announced the ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future, which will focus on cooperation on digital transformation and financial connectivity.

He also announced the renewal of support for the Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia to take action as a knowledge partner for enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The Indian prime minister called to raise issues faced by Global South in multilateral forums collectively.

He also invited the ASEAN countries to join the Global Center for Traditional Medicine established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in India, and offered his country’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines to people through the government’s Jan-Aushadhi Kendras initiative.

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