ASEAN is a group of ten countries of South East Asia which came together as an intergovernmental regional organisation with the motto of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community “ reflecting its commitment to regional unity and integration. ASEAN aims to facilitate and promote cooperation in trade, security, educational and cultural integration and exchanges. It was established in 1967 with its secretariat in Jakarta and comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. India and several major countries, including the US, China, Japan, and Australia, are Dialogue partners of ASEAN, which is indicative of the influence and the importance of ASEAN in the region. The biannual ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body of Heads of State/Government of member States.
The ASEAN, ASEAN-India and the East Asia Summits, being held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, from 26th to 28th October 2025, appear to be of significance given the ongoing geopolitical churn and the uncertainties in the global trade regime amidst President Trump’s tariff war unleashed against friends and foes alike. Malaysia has invited all the Heads of State/Government of all member and partner countries, including the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President, Donald Trump. However, Prime Minister Modi will not be attending the summit but will address the Asean-India summit virtually while External Affairs Minister (EAM) Mr S Jaishankar is representing India in person.