Manila, April 09: Senior officials from India and ASEAN convened in Manila to review progress on bilateral initiatives and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen regional cooperation.
The 28th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting was co-chaired by Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs, and Leo M Herrera-Lim, Undersecretary for Policy at the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs.
Participants assessed the implementation of decisions taken during the ASEAN-India Summit held in October 2025 and discussed pathways to further strengthen ties, with a particular focus on designating 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
On the sidelines, Kumaran engaged with think tanks, academics, and policy experts in Manila, exchanging views on a broad spectrum of bilateral and global issues. He also held discussions with Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, focusing on the progress of India-Philippines strategic relations and India’s continued support for ASEAN-led initiatives.
Parallelly, the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting reviewed the Philippines’ Chairship priorities, including advancing ASEAN Community-building, strengthening external partnerships, and preparing for the upcoming ASEAN Summit scheduled for May 2026.
Established in 1967, Association of Southeast Asian Nations has expanded to 11 member states and remains a key regional bloc for political, economic, and security cooperation.
The meeting underscores India’s continued engagement with ASEAN as a central pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy, with a focus on enhancing connectivity, maritime cooperation, and economic integration.
