Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Context: PM Modi declared India-ASEAN strategic partnership making steady progress despite uncertainties, announcing 2026 as ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation at 22nd summit.
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- Modi welcomed Timor-Leste as newest ASEAN member, stating India and ASEAN together represent nearly one-fourth of global population with shared values.
- Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim co-chaired summit discussing ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) finalization and Plan of Action 2026-2030 for strengthened cooperation.
- Prime Minister emphasized AITIGA could unleash full economic potential, promising cooperation on digital inclusion, food security, resilient supply chains amid global challenges.
- Modi highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance in ASEAN region, cooperation in education, tourism, science, technology, health, green energy, and emphasized unity against terrorism.
- Summit addressed shared cultural heritage, people-to-people ties, with discussions on trade, investment, education, food security, and technological development between both regions.