India and ASEAN get new momentum

As Prime Minister Modi heads to the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Manila, India-ASEAN cooperation has gained fresh momentum in 2026, the Year of Maritime Cooperation. Joint naval exercises, new subsea cables linking India to Southeast Asian hubs, and growing information-sharing are turning geography into a practical partnership. The real test, however, is trade, where the review of the India-ASEAN FTA remains unfinished.