PM joins 22nd ASEAN-India Summit virtually; 2026 declared ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part virtually in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025 and declared 2026 the 'ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation'.
Summary
The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, hosted from Kuala Lumpur under Malaysia's chairmanship, was held on 26 October 2025, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part virtually. It was his 12th ASEAN-India Summit. He welcomed Timor-Leste as ASEAN's 11th member and called for an early review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). In support of the Malaysian chair's theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', India designated 2026 the 'ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation'. India also proposed a second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers' Meeting and a second maritime exercise, offered renewable energy training for 400 professionals for the ASEAN Power Grid, proposed a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University, and will hold the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, Gujarat. A Joint Leaders' Statement on Sustainable Tourism was adopted.
Key facts
- Date
- 26 Oct 2025 (PM joined virtually)
- Host
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ASEAN Chair); theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'
- PM's participation
- 12th ASEAN-India Summit
- New member
- Timor-Leste, ASEAN's 11th member
- 2026
- ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation
- Proposals
- 2nd ADMM-India meeting & maritime exercise; 400 RE professionals trained; Centre for SE Asian Studies at Nalanda
- Lothal
- East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival
- Adopted
- Joint Leaders' Statement on Sustainable Tourism
Practice MCQs 5 questions
The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit on 26 October 2025 was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's which participation in the India-ASEAN Summit?
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Correct answer: C — 12th
PIB: this was the Prime Minister's 12th participation in the India-ASEAN Summit.
Which country attended its first ASEAN-India Summit in October 2025 as the 11th member of ASEAN?
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Correct answer: A — Timor-Leste
PIB: the PM congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th Member of ASEAN and welcomed its delegation at its first ASEAN-India Summit as a full member.
At the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, India designated the year 2026 as:
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Correct answer: D — ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation
PIB: India designated 2026 as the 'ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation' to forge partnerships in the blue economy. (The ASEAN-India Year of Tourism was being celebrated at the time.)
At the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, India proposed establishing a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at which institution?
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Correct answer: B — Nalanda University
PIB: the PM announced the proposed establishment of a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University.
Consider the following statements about the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit: 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Summit in person in Kuala Lumpur. 2. The theme of Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship was 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The PM participated virtually; he thanked PM Anwar Ibrahim for hosting the Summit virtually. The chair's theme was 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.