Why in News:
- The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit was held on October 26, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. The Indian Prime Minister participated in the summit via virtual mode. This was Prime Minister’s 12th participation in the India-ASEAN Summit. The summit was held concurrently with the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The Summit was chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.
Indian Perspective on the ASEAN-India Summit 2025:
- Welcome to Timor-Leste: The Indian Prime Minister congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th member of ASEAN.
- Reiterating India’s support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister complimented ASEAN on adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
- Review of ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA): India emphasized that the prompt review of the FTA would benefit the people of both sides and strengthen regional cooperation.
- Countering Terrorism: India stressed that terrorism is a serious challenge to global peace and security and highlighted the importance of unity in the fight against terrorism.
- Strategic Partnership: Extended support for the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to realize the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030).
- Maritime Cooperation:
- Year 2026 was designated as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation” to build partnership in the Blue Economy.
- Proposal to organise the Second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the Second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise for a secure maritime environment.
- Holding the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, Gujarat, and a conference on Maritime Security Cooperation.
- Disaster Management:
- India will continue its role as the First Responder during times of crisis in the neighborhood.
- Commitment to further strengthen cooperation in Disaster Preparedness and HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief).
- Tourism and Culture: Celebrating 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
- Institutional Development: Proposed establishment of the Centre for South East Asian Studies at Nalanda University to develop regional expertise.
- Energy, Technology other Cooperation:
- Training 400 professionals in Renewable Energy to support the ASEAN Power Grid Initiative.
- Continued support for ongoing cooperation in education, energy, science and technology, FinTech, and cultural preservation.
- Emphasis on the need to enhance cooperation in Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Emerging Technologies, Rare Earth Elements, and Critical Minerals.
