How to forge an India-ASEAN century for regional stability
The Sunday Guardian
|November 02, 2025
PM Modi called for an early review and modernization of the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which was signed in 2009. He stressed that updating the 15-year-old pact is necessary to unlock the full economic potential between India and the ASEAN bloc.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually attends the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit 2025, from New Delhi on Sunday. ANI
The recent 22nd ASEAN-India Summit was held on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually in the Summit.
While PM Modi has consistently attended ASEAN summits in the past, his decision to skip the in-person meeting this year was seen by some as a calculated move to manage priorities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and domestic political needs.
India's official explanation why PM Modi did not attend the Summit in person was due to scheduling issues related to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India. However, media reports and analysts point to a number of strategic and domestic political factors. One of the most cited reasons was avoiding an awkward encounter with the US President Donald Trump, who also attended the summit. Relations between India and the US have become strained due to trade disputes, with the Trump administration imposing 50% tariffs on Indian exports partly in response to India's continued purchase of Russian oil. New Delhi was wary of a meeting between PM Modi and Trump with no clear positive outcome.
ASEAN is important for India due to its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, its role as a major economic partner and its importance for regional stability and security. Key benefits include enhanced trade and connectivity, a counterbalance to China's influence, and a platform for maritime security cooperation. ASEAN also serves as the gateway for India's "Act East" policy, promoting its influence in a vital and dynamic region. Deep-rooted historical, cultural, and civilizational links provide a strong foundation for diplomatic relations. The large Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia acts as a bridge between the two regions.
This story is from the November 02, 2025 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Sunday Guardian
The Sunday Guardian
The world order changeth gradually, though surely
No single nation or its leader, including the USA or China, can assume stewardship of the emerging, diffused global order.
6 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
WHY THE SHANTI BILL CAN REDEFINE INDIA’S ENERGY FUTURE
India’s clean energy transition is primarily discussed in terms of solar additions, wind corridors, and storage technologies.
4 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
Fantasies about Russia may spark World War III
Peace would result in it being too obvious to hide even within Zelenskyy's European backers, that the war being conducted at great human cost was futile from the start.
5 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
New jihadi module IMK busted in Assam
An offshoot of Bangladesh-based JMB, IMK propagates the ideology of ‘Ghazwatul Hind’
4 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
Delhi court convicts man in 2017 murder case
A Delhi court has convicted a man for murdering a youth by hitting him with a bamboo stick during a late-night quarrel at the Anand Vihar ISBT in 2017.
1 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
INDIAN NAVY PLANS TO INDUCT A WARSHIP EVERY SIX WEEKS
The Indian Navy is on track to induct ships at the rate of one every one-and-a-half months in the coming year, fuelling the economy as its maritime muscle is strengthened.
3 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
PM to flag off first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Guwahati
Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Assam and West Bengal will get the country's first Vande Bharat sleeper train.
1 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
Transport Ministry proposes Aadhaar-like numbers for EV batteries
The transport ministry has proposed assigning Aadhaar-like unique identification number to EV batteries to ensure their end-to-end traceability and efficient recycling.
2 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
Congress’ seat claim strains Assam opposition unity
Congress's aggressive seat target unsettles allies as opposition struggles to finalise Assam election strategy.
3 mins
January 04, 2026
The Sunday Guardian
How CCP is ‘assimilating’ Inner Mongolia
The most decisive tool of assimilation has been language policy. Mongolian-medium education has been systematically dismantled, replaced with Mandarin instruction.
2 mins
January 04, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size