India-ASEAN strategic partnership has continued to prosper despite the prevailing ‘era of uncertainties’, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (October 26, 2025). Delivering his opening remarks virtually at the 22nd ASEAN-India summit, held in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Modi described ASEAN as a “cultural partner” of India, announcing further deepening of India-ASEAN cooperation in the domain of maritime security in 2026.
“Even in this era of uncertainties, India-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to make steady progress. And this strong partnership of ours is emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and development,” said Mr. Modi in his remarks that were video telecast to the summit. Mr. Modi welcomed Timor-Leste as the newest member of ASEAN and said India and ASEAN together represent nearly one fourth of the global population and that the two sides were connected by ‘historical ties and shared values’.
“The 21st century is our century, the century of India and ASEAN,” said Mr. Modi. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who co-chaired the ASEAN-India summit, said India-ASEAN relationship was rooted in the ‘values of friendship, trust, and shared interests’.
“Among the issues and matters discussed were efforts to finalise the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026-2030 to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, education, food security and technological development,” said Mr. Ibrahim. He appreciated close ties between India and the ASEAN region in the fields of education, economy and culture. Mr. Modi said the AITIGA could “unleash the full economic potential” of India-ASEAN relationship.
Humanitarian assistance
Mr. Modi said India and the ASEAN member-states in southeast Asia were ‘companions in the Global South’ and assured that India would work with the ASEAN countries to advance digital inclusion, food security, resilient supply chains ‘amid global challenges’. The Prime Minister referred to India’s active participation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities in the ASEAN region and said to deepen maritime relation between the two sides, 2026 would be declared as “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation”. Mr. Modi also mentioned the danger posed by terrorism and reminded the need for unity in fighting terror.
“At the same time, we are steadily advancing our cooperation in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cybersecurity,” said Mr. Modi, highlighting the ‘shared cultural heritage’ and ‘people-to-people’ ties between India and the ASEAN member-states. While addressing the heads of governments of the ASEAN region, Mr. Modi conveyed his condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Thailand on the passing of the Queen Mother.
The ASEAN summit began on Sunday (October 26) with the arrival of heads of the member-countries as well as President Donald Trump of the United States. Ahead of the ASEAN summit, Mr. Modi had called Mr. Ibrahim on October 23 and informed him that he would deliver the speech at the summit virtually. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation at Kuala Lumpur and he will lead the Indian delegation at the East Asia summit on Monday (October 27).
India’s relations with the ASEAN member-states had received top level focus since January this year when Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was hosted here as the guest of honour at the 76th Republic Day celebrations. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited India in September and before that Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited India in the first week of August 2025.
