Kuala Lumpur
India and ASEAN have adopted a new Plan of Action (POA) for 2026-2030 to further strengthen their partnership, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita announced on Thursday. The decision was made during the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Margherita, serving as India’s country coordinator, co-chaired the meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro. He shared on social media that the new POA aims to boost cooperation and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN.
This year marks the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, and both sides discussed ways to improve people-to-people ties. The leaders also talked about cooperation in digital technology, disaster management, defence, economy, maritime security, and health.
According to the Indian Mission to ASEAN, the ministers agreed to work together to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared interest.
Margherita arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday night and will also attend the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum, taking place from July 10-11. These meetings are part of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related events.
The visit highlights India’s strong commitment to ASEAN and its focus on the Indo-Pacific region. India sees ASEAN as a key part of its Act East Policy and values the group’s unity and central role in regional affairs.
During the visit, Margherita is also expected to hold bilateral talks with foreign ministers from other countries, further strengthening India’s ties in the region and exploring new areas of cooperation.
