The book, written by Ambassador Gurjit Singh, reflects on three decades of ASEAN-India relations and a decade of the Act East Policy.
JAKARTA, 8 SEPTEMBER 2025 – The Indian Mission to ASEAN organised the official launch of the book “The Mango Flavour: INDIA & ASEAN After a Decade of the Act East Policy” at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta. The event was held as part of ASEAN 2025 and brought together representatives, diplomats, academics and policymakers from across the region.
The book, authored by Ambassador Gurjit Singh, former Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, takes stock of 30 years of ASEAN-India relations and reflects on a decade of India’s Act East Policy. It offers insights into how ASEAN and India have strengthened cooperation across political, economic and cultural dimensions, while exploring how the partnership continues to evolve in response to global and regional developments.
Ambassador Singh’s work highlights the ways in which ASEAN and India are working together to promote regional integration, enhance economic linkages, and advance people-to-people connectivity. It also looks at the challenges and opportunities for both sides in building a more inclusive and prosperous future.
The launch underscored the role of such academic and policy-oriented contributions in advancing mutual understanding. The book is expected to serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners engaged in regional cooperation. By drawing on past achievements and projecting future directions, it aims to encourage dialogue and foster new ideas for strengthening ASEAN-India relations.
ASEAN and India have shared a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2022, building on a longstanding relationship that continues to expand in areas such as trade, digital economy, security, climate change, and cultural exchanges. The publication of “The Mango Flavour” comes at a time when both sides are preparing to deepen collaboration as part of ASEAN’s ongoing regional integration agenda.
Source: ASEAN
