365telugu.com online news, October 27th,2025: On October 26, 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi joined the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit virtually, marking his 12th participation in the event. The Summit, hosted by Malaysia, saw PM Modi and ASEAN leaders review the progress of ASEAN-India relations and explore ways to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In his address, PM Modi congratulated Timor Leste on becoming ASEAN’s 11th member, welcoming its delegation to their first ASEAN-India Summit and pledging India’s support for its human development initiatives.
He reaffirmed India’s commitment to ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, while commending ASEAN’s adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The Prime Minister highlighted the need for an early review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) to unlock the full economic potential of the partnership and enhance regional cooperation. He also underscored the global threat of terrorism, urging unified action to combat it.
Aligning with Malaysia’s Chair theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” PM Modi announced several initiatives:
- Support for the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Adoption of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism to boost tourism cooperation, marking 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
- Designation of 2026 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation” to promote partnerships in the blue economy.
- Proposal to hold the Second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting and Maritime Exercise to ensure a secure maritime environment.
- Commitment to India’s role as a first responder in regional crises, with enhanced cooperation in disaster preparedness and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
- Training for 400 professionals in renewable energy to support the ASEAN Power Grid initiative.
- Extension of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to Timor Leste.
- Proposal to establish a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University to foster regional expertise.
- Continued cooperation in education, energy, science and technology, fintech, and cultural preservation, with a call for increased collaboration in infrastructure, semiconductors, emerging technologies, rare earths, and critical minerals.
- Hosting the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, Gujarat, and a conference on Maritime Security Cooperation.
PM Modi expressed gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for facilitating the virtual Summit and to President Marcos Jr. of the Philippines for its effective country-coordinatorship. ASEAN leaders acknowledged India’s steadfast support and its commitment to deepening ties through the Act East Policy.