The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur reinforced the shared vision for a more dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership, with new initiatives in tourism and maritime cooperation announced for 2025 and 2026
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, participated in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where ASEAN Leaders and India reviewed the progress of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and discussed its future direction. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a partnership that remains meaningful, substantive, and mutually beneficial to their peoples and economies.
Image by The ASEAN Secretariat
One of the key highlights of the Summit was the adoption of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism, following the designation of 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. The statement reaffirmed the vital role of tourism as a driver of economic growth and its importance in strengthening people-to-people connections between ASEAN and India. Leaders expressed their commitment to promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism across the region.
Reflecting their growing collaboration in the maritime domain, the Leaders further announced 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. Both sides looked forward to developing a dynamic and forward-looking work plan in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The initiative aims to promote maritime safety, connectivity, and sustainable use of marine resources in the Indo-Pacific.
On the sidelines of the Summit, India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar, met with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, for a bilateral discussion. Dr Jaishankar described the meeting as “a very useful exchange on the global and regional scenario, as well as opportunities for strengthening India-Singapore cooperation,” underscoring the strong and forward-looking ties between the two nations.
Source: The ASEAN Secretariat
