India–ASEAN Summit 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings
Source: IE
Context: Prime Minister of India virtually addressed the 22nd India–ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepen cooperation in maritime security, digital inclusion, and resilient supply chains.
• He also announced that 2026 will be celebrated as the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation.”
About India–ASEAN Summit 2025:
History of India–ASEAN Cooperation:
• Early Engagement (1990s): India’s formal engagement with ASEAN began in 1992 as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner, which evolved into a Full Dialogue Partnership in 1996.
• Act East Policy: India’s Look East Policy (1991) transitioned to Act East Policy (2014), strengthening strategic, economic, and cultural integration.
• ASEAN Summits & Institutional Mechanisms: India has been a regular participant in ASEAN Summits since 2002, and the partnership was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
• Free Trade Agreement (2009): The ASEAN–India FTA in Goods (AITIGA) and later Services & Investment Agreements (2015) expanded bilateral economic ties.
• Shared Heritage: India and ASEAN share deep civilisational links through Buddhism, maritime trade routes, and cultural exchange dating back to the Gupta and Srivijaya periods.
Opportunities in India–ASEAN Relations:
• Maritime Security Cooperation: Strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific offers scope for joint patrols, maritime domain awareness, and naval exercises.
• Economic Integration: The review of AITIGA provides an opportunity to enhance market access, reduce non-tariff barriers, and boost regional trade.
• Digital & Green Economy: Collaboration in digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, and green technologies can drive sustainable growth.
• Connectivity & Infrastructure: Projects like the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Corridor strengthen physical and economic connectivity.
• Cultural Diplomacy: Shared values and heritage offer avenues for people-to-people exchange, tourism, and education partnerships.
Initiatives Taken So Far:
• ASEAN–India Plan of Action (2026–2030): Focuses on trade, investment, education, food security, and innovation.
• ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA): Currently under review to increase economic synergy.
• Maritime Cooperation: Declaration of 2026 as ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation to deepen oceanic security and blue economy initiatives.
• Financial & Developmental Assistance: India’s ₹500 crore ASEAN–India Fund supports connectivity, agriculture, and capacity building projects.
• Cultural & Educational Ties: Initiatives like ASEAN–India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT), ICCR scholarships, and digital education cooperation have expanded regional soft power engagement.
Challenges Associated:
• Trade Imbalance: ASEAN accounts for 11% of India’s trade, yet imports far outweigh exports, reflecting limited value addition.
• Slow Progress in AITIGA Review: Protectionist tendencies and procedural delays hinder deeper integration.
• China Factor: ASEAN’s economic dependence on China complicates India’s strategic outreach in the Indo-Pacific.
• Connectivity Bottlenecks: Delays in the IMT Highway and Kaladan project limit India’s logistical advantage.
• Divergent Priorities: ASEAN’s principle of neutrality and India’s strategic tilt toward Quad sometimes lead to hesitation in collective alignment.
Way Ahead:
• Accelerate Economic Integration: Fast-track the AITIGA review and expand cooperation in services and digital trade.
• Enhance Maritime Presence: Operationalise joint naval exercises and blue economy partnerships under the 2026 maritime framework.
• Deepen Connectivity: Expedite physical, digital, and energy connectivity corridors linking Northeast India with Southeast Asia.
• Institutional Strengthening: Regular Track 1.5 and 2 dialogues to enhance strategic trust and policy coordination.
• Balanced Diplomacy: Maintain ASEAN centrality while ensuring inclusive Indo-Pacific cooperation that complements Quad initiatives.
Conclusion:
India–ASEAN relations embody a civilisational continuum and strategic necessity in the Indo-Pacific century. To realise their full potential, both sides must move from dialogue to decisive action, aligning trade, security, and digital priorities. The “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026” should serve as a launchpad for a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready regional partnership.