In his keynote speech at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 10, 2025, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita reaffirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that “the 21st century is the Asian Century, a century for India and ASEAN countries.”
Margherita’s remarks underscored the robust and deepening ties between India and the ASEAN bloc, emphasizing the shared civilizational bonds and strategic alignment that define the relationship.
During his speech, Margherita announced the 100 percent implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2021-2025, achieved with the support of ASEAN partners. This milestone reflects the growing practical cooperation across political-security, economic, and socio-cultural domains.
He emphasized that India firmly supports ASEAN unity and centrality, and that ASEAN is the cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. One factor that was mentioned as being beneficial to regional peace and prosperity was the cooperation between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
Margherita conveyed gratitude for Lao PDR’s leadership in 2024 and congratulated Malaysia on its ASEAN chairmanship. Assuring ongoing Indian support, he also greeted Timor Leste’s impending admission as the 11th ASEAN member in October 2025. He acknowledged the approval of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN Community Vision 2045 as a major accomplishment in honor of the ASEAN Community’s tenth anniversary.
Margherita cited Prime Minister Modi’s recent 10-point plan to boost the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is presently being executed, and recalled his active participation, having attended 11 ASEAN-India Summits. He emphasized the value India places on ASEAN-led processes and emphasized that the alliance depends on strong people-to-people ties to succeed.
A new ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026–2030 was also adopted during the summit, with the goal of strengthening collaboration in fields like disaster relief, military, maritime security, health, and the digital economy. India’s commitment to ASEAN unity, centrality, and the larger Indo-Pacific regional architecture was reaffirmed during Margherita’s visit, which included bilateral discussions with ASEAN leaders and participation in relevant forums.
Margherita reiterated India’s goal of a vibrant and shared future for the region and conveyed her sincere gratitude to all ASEAN foreign ministers for their efforts to fortify ASEAN-India relations via meaningful and concrete cooperation.
