The recently concluded 47th ASEAN Summit and 22nd ASEAN–India Summit marked a defining moment in India’s engagement with Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the summit virtually, declared that “the 21st century is the century of India and ASEAN” — a bold statement underlining the region’s pivotal role in shaping global geopolitics and economics. The summit witnessed the launch of the ASEAN–India Plan of Action (2026–2030) and the declaration of 2026 as the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation, symbolising a shift from dialogue to deeper collaboration.
Partners in Progress
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — comprising ten member states and now welcoming Timor-Leste as its 11th — has long been at the heart of Asia’s economic dynamism and strategic balance. For India, ASEAN represents the core of its “Act East Policy”, a framework that blends economic integration, cultural connectivity, and security cooperation. The partnership is no longer limited to summits and statements; it now involves joint defense exercises, renewable energy training, and semiconductor collaboration, illustrating how the relationship is expanding across multiple domains.
The Strategic Significance
India’s renewed focus on ASEAN stems from both geopolitical and economic imperatives. The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the centre of gravity for global trade, technology, and security. With rising tensions in the South China Sea, ASEAN nations value India’s consistent advocacy for the rule of law and freedom of navigation, as reiterated by the Philippines during the summit. For India, closer ties with ASEAN serve as a counterbalance in an increasingly multipolar Asia — reinforcing stability while securing its maritime and trade routes.
Beyond security, ASEAN offers India access to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The early review of the ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) aims to boost trade efficiency and unlock new opportunities in emerging technologies, critical minerals, and renewable energy. This synergy aligns with India’s vision of becoming a manufacturing and innovation hub while helping ASEAN diversify its economic partnerships.
Building the Bridge
The pathway forward is anchored in implementation and integration. The Plan of Action (2026–2030) provides a structured roadmap that focuses on maritime security, digital transformation, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchanges. India’s commitment to train 400 ASEAN professionals in renewable energy, along with plans for defense ministers’ meetings and maritime exercises, demonstrates tangible steps toward collaboration.
Equally crucial is the soft-power dimension — shared civilisational ties, Buddhism, tourism, and education linkages — which enrich this partnership beyond mere policy frameworks.
These cultural connections strengthen trust and mutual understanding, making the
relationship resilient amid global shifts.
Toward a Shared Indo-Pacific Vision
The India–ASEAN partnership today embodies more than regional diplomacy; it represents a shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. As the world navigates economic transitions and strategic rivalries, this partnership offers a model rooted in cooperation, inclusivity, and balance.
The challenge ahead lies not in making new declarations but in turning them into deliverables — through sustained political will, investment, and innovation. If executed effectively, India–ASEAN 2.0 could indeed define the contours of Asia’s century — one anchored in peace, prosperity, and partnership.
References:
- Press Information Bureau. (2025, October). Prime Minister’s participation in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182724 - Ministry of External Affairs. (2018, August). India-ASEAN Relations.
https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-ASEAN-Relations-August-2018.pdf - The Hindu. (2025, October). India-ASEAN ties making steady progress https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-47th-asean-summit-virtual-address/article70204727.ece
Vidhan Bharat 
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