The 2025 ASEAN Summit in Malaysia will see India maintaining active engagement with the regional bloc, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from in-person proceedings. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India physically, attending meetings and events from October 26 to October 28, while Modi participates virtually alongside ASEAN leaders and other dialogue partners.
India’s ties with ASEAN are historically deep, rooted in shared culture, commerce, and strategic interests. Since becoming a Dialogue Partner in 1995, India has steadily expanded cooperation, culminating in a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. This partnership supports collaboration across trade, maritime security, the digital economy, tourism, and cultural exchanges, reinforcing India’s presence in the region.
Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 offers a key platform to advance India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. India emphasizes ASEAN centrality and unity, viewing the bloc as critical for regional stability, peace, and economic integration. Prime Minister Modi has regularly attended ASEAN summits since 2014, highlighting India’s sustained commitment, but scheduling constraints have necessitated virtual participation this year, complemented by Jaishankar’s in-person attendance.
Several ongoing initiatives underscore India-ASEAN collaboration, including the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and educational and cultural exchange programs. The year 2025 has been designated the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, promoting people-to-people connectivity. Economic cooperation remains strong, with efforts underway to review and enhance trade agreements to expand commerce and investment.
India’s dual approach—virtual participation by the Prime Minister and physical representation by the External Affairs Minister—demonstrates a strategic balance. It signals India’s continued dedication to ASEAN’s regional framework and its long-term commitment to collaborative development, security, and economic integration in Southeast Asia.
