Context:

Recently, the 47th ASEAN Summit took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 26 to 28 October 2025. The theme was “Inclusivity and Sustainability”. Timor‑Leste (East Timor) was formally admitted as the 11th member of ASEAN — the first expansion since the late 1990s.

India’s Role & Key Contributions:

PM of India addressed the Summit virtually from India. In his address, he emphasised that India and ASEAN together account for nearly one-quarter of the world’s population and are linked not only by geography but by deep historical, cultural and value-based ties. He called ASEAN the “main pillar” of India’s Act East Policy.

Key Announcements & Commitments:

• • India declared 2026 as the “Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation”, signalling a major push in maritime collaboration, blue economy, maritime security, transport connectivity and related areas.
  • India and ASEAN renewed their commitment to maritime security, trade connectivity, resilient supply-chains, digital inclusion, and the blue economy.
  • India’s engagement also involves reviewing and upgrading the ASEAN‑India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to unleash greater economic potential.
  • India reaffirmed its support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

22nd ASEAN‑India Summit:

The 22nd meeting of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India (hence "ASEAN-India Summit") was also held on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The summit’s theme emphasised sustainable and inclusive cooperation, with special focus on maritime connectivity, digital inclusion, and cultural ties.

History of ASEAN‑India Summit:

India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner.

·        In 1996, India’s status was upgraded to a full Dialogue Partner.

·        In 2002, India’s relationship with ASEAN was elevated to the Summit level, meaning that leaders (Heads of Government/State) of India and ASEAN member states began meeting at the summit level.

Strategic Implications for India and ASEAN:

• • Strengthening India-ASEAN ties aligns with India’s Act East Policy and its focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
  • By focusing on maritime cooperation, India enhances its role in the Indian Ocean region and wider Indo-Pacific, reinforcing connectivity and security links.
  • Upgrading the trade agreement (AITIGA) and focusing on digital, green, and advanced-tech sectors aligns with India’s economic ambitions.
  • ASEAN accounts for a significant share of India’s global trade; in 2023-24, bilateral trade was cited at ~US $122.67 billion.

Conclusion:

Recent 47 ASEAN Summit and 22nd ASEAN-India Summit marks a milestone in India-ASEAN relations — a consolidation of past ties and a launch of a forward-looking maritime, digital, sustainable cooperation agenda. With India and ASEAN together representing a large bloc demographically and economically, their partnership is of enhanced strategic significance in a changing global landscape.