MANILA, Philippines – Senior officials from India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened in Manila on March 12, 2025, for the 27th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting (AISOM). The meeting aimed to review progress on the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and lay the groundwork for upcoming leadership summits.
Co-chaired by Indian Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar and Philippine SOM Leader MA. Theresa P. Lazaro, the meeting saw participation from representatives of all ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste (an ASEAN observer), and the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General. The Philippines currently holds the role of Country Coordinator for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
Officials assessed the implementation of decisions made at previous ASEAN-India Summits and Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, covering political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation. Notable progress was acknowledged in implementing the 10-point proposal put forth by the Indian Prime Minister in 2024, including the designation of 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
Mr. Mazumdar emphasized ASEAN’s central role in India’s Act East Policy and its broader Indo-Pacific vision. Discussions focused on key areas of collaboration, including tourism, expedited review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), digital cooperation, maritime security, connectivity, health, innovation, and development partnerships. The meeting also provided a platform for exchanging perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
Preparations for the upcoming ASEAN-India Summit and ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to be held later this year in Malaysia, were also on the agenda. ASEAN expressed appreciation for India’s ongoing support for the organization and the ASEAN-led regional architecture.
Following the AISOM, Mr. Mazumdar met with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo to brief him on the meeting’s outcomes and discuss the growing bilateral relationship between India and the Philippines. Mr. Mazumdar also thanked Secretary Manalo for accepting an invitation to participate in the 10th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi from March 17-19, 2025.