Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India's commitment to stronger ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), calling it a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy. Addressing the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit virtually from New Delhi on October 26, 2025, Modi underscored the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and civilizational bonds between India and the ASEAN nations.
"The 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN," Modi stated, stressing the shared geography, strong historical ties, and common values that connect the two regions. He congratulated Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit and welcomed Timor-Leste as the 11th member state of the ASEAN community. He also conveyed his condolences on the passing of Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit.
Modi highlighted that India and ASEAN together represent nearly one-fourth of the world's population and are fellow travelers in the Global South, collaborating to ensure stability, growth, and prosperity. He noted the steady progress of the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, emphasizing its role as a key foundation for global stability and development, even in an era of uncertainty.
Reaffirming India's consistent support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, Modi underscored that cooperation between the two regions is vital for peace and prosperity across Asia. He emphasized that ASEAN is not just a part of India's foreign policy but a cornerstone of its Act East vision.
During the summit, discussions are expected to review the regional situation and explore ways to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, especially concerning growing Chinese military assertiveness. Economic collaboration is another key focus, with talks likely to cover the progress on the review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
India remains one of ASEAN's top trading partners. In 2024-25, bilateral trade between India and the ASEAN bloc reached US$123 billion, with Indian exports valued at $38 billion and imports at $84 billion. Cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from ASEAN countries into India amounted to $156 billion between 2000 and 2023, primarily from Singapore.
The ASEAN–India engagement is guided by the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (2003), which includes AITIGA, the Trade in Services Agreement, and the Investment Agreement, all currently under review. In 2022, the partnership was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations.
Looking ahead, Modi declared 2026 as the 'Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation,' aiming to strongly promote bilateral cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security. He expressed confidence that the aims of 'ASEAN Community Vision 2045' and 'Viksit Bharat 2047' will foster a bright future for all humanity. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, providing an opportunity to discuss challenges to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and exchange views on regional and international developments.
