India–ASEAN Summit 2025

31.10.2025

1. India–ASEAN Summit 2025

Context

The 22nd India–ASEAN Summit was held virtually on October 26, 2025, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with India’s Prime Minister participating online. The summit reinforced India’s commitment to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, and maritime domains under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), setting a forward-looking roadmap for 2026–2030.

Key Highlights

• Maritime Cooperation: India declared 2026 as the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation”, focusing on naval exercises, maritime security, and blue economy initiatives.
   
• ASEAN Expansion: Timor-Leste joined as ASEAN’s 11th full member, the bloc’s first expansion since 1999, reinforcing inclusivity and regional solidarity.
   
• Plan of Action 2026–2030: Leaders endorsed a detailed framework for CSP implementation covering trade, investment, digital connectivity, education, health resilience, climate action, and innovation.
   
• Trade Integration: Review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) was emphasized to enhance trade facilitation, reduce non-tariff barriers, and expand services and investment cooperation.
   
• Digital Leadership: India showcased its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) model, with ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future supporting AI, blockchain, and digital health initiatives.
   
• Connectivity Projects: Key infrastructure projects like the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project were prioritized to strengthen physical and economic linkages.
   
• Strategic Alignment: India reiterated support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) while balancing engagements with the Quad.
   

Challenges and Way Forward

• Trade Deficit: Rising trade imbalance and delayed AITIGA review require attention.
   
• Connectivity Issues: Infrastructure bottlenecks must be addressed to fully realize regional trade potential.
   
• Strategic Nuances: ASEAN’s neutral stance can limit complete alignment with India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
   
• Enhanced Dialogue: Regular Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues are recommended to strengthen trust and policy coordination.
   

Conclusion

The 22nd India–ASEAN Summit marked a key milestone in advancing the partnership to tackle contemporary regional challenges. Emphasizing maritime cooperation, economic integration, digital innovation, and connectivity, the summit set a clear agenda for a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready India–ASEAN partnership. The “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026” serves as a launchpad to deepen the blue economy and security collaboration, crucial for regional stability and shared prosperity.