Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for building a rules-based post-COVID world order and strengthening the voice of the Global South.

In an address at the annual ASEAN-India summit here, the prime minister also underlined the need for ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures while addressing the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, in Jakarta, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. PTI

India supports the ASEAN outlook on Indo-Pacific, Modi told the leaders of the grouping.

The prime minister described ASEAN as the epicentre of growth, saying it plays a crucial role in global development.

The 21st century is Asia's century. It is a century of all of us, he said.

It will be mutually beneficial for all of us to develop a rules-based post-Covid world order as well as efforts by all (Sabka Prayas) for human welfare, Modi said.

Modi said there has been consistent progress in "our mutual cooperation" in spite of the atmosphere of global uncertainty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by the Indian community in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023. PTI

ASEAN is the central pillar of India's Act East policy, he added.

The prime minister also noted that the ASEAN-India partnership has entered its fourth decade.

ASEAN occupies a prominent place in India's Indo-Pacific initiative, he said.

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