Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged an early review of the India–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA), emphasizing that the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN is becoming a powerful pillar of global stability amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Speaking virtually at the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit 2025, hosted by Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Modi announced 2026 as the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation”, reaffirming India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific. He described terrorism as a serious global threat and called for unity to combat it.

Highlighting the need to unlock the full economic potential of the partnership, Modi said that a timely review of AITIGA — in force for over 15 years — would further strengthen trade and regional cooperation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim echoed this sentiment, noting real progress in talks and expressing hope to conclude the review this year.

Both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in food security, resilient supply chains, tourism, and education, and jointly released a statement on sustainable tourism as a driver of growth. Modi also proposed hosting the second ASEAN–India Defence Ministers’ Meeting and a maritime exercise to boost regional security.

India pledged to train 400 ASEAN professionals in renewable energy to support the regional power grid initiative and reiterated its role as a first responder in humanitarian crises.

Modi congratulated Timor Leste on joining ASEAN as its 11th member and reaffirmed that India and ASEAN together represent nearly one-fourth of the world’s population, bound by shared geography, history, and values.

“The 21st century is the century of India and ASEAN,” Modi said. “Our cooperation in education, technology, health, green energy, and cyber security will define a brighter future for humanity.”

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called the India–ASEAN partnership a force for stability and mutual prosperity, underscoring the bloc’s enduring strategic importance in the region.