MANILA, MARCH 12, 2025 – The 27th ASEAN-India Senior Officials' Meeting (AISOM) was held in Manila today, with Indian Secretary (East) Shri Jaideep Mazumdar co-chairing the event alongside Philippine SOM Leader H.E. MA. Theresa P. Lazaro from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
The meeting, which brought together senior officials and representatives from all ASEAN member states, as well as Timor Leste with observer status in ASEAN, and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, reviewed the progress of implementing decisions made at previous ASEAN-India Summits and Foreign Ministers' Meetings. The Senior Officials expressed appreciation for the implementation of the 10-point proposal announced by Indian Prime Minister during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Lao PDR in 2024.
The meeting highlighted key areas of cooperation, including tourism, trade, digital connectivity, maritime partnerships, health, innovation, and development. The discussion also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Secretary (East) Mazumdar emphasized the importance of ASEAN as a crucial pillar of India's Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific region. He noted that preparations for the upcoming ASEAN-India Summit and Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia later this year were also discussed.
The Philippines, as the current Country Coordinator for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, expressed appreciation for India's continued support to ASEAN and the regional architecture. Secretary Mazumdar also briefed Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary H.E. Mr. Enrique A. Manalo on the outcomes of AISOM and discussed ways to further expand bilateral relations between India and the Philippines.
The meeting concluded with a call from Secretary Mazumdar for enhanced cooperation in various sectors, including tourism and trade, as well as continued support for regional initiatives that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.