Trade, Investment and Digital Deal Boost India-ASEAN Partnership Ahead of Summit

Manila, 15 November – The 49th ASEAN Summit has commenced in Manila, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to attend alongside leaders from the East Asia Summit. Ambassador Srinuvas Gotru underscored that Modi’s regular participation—now his 13th since 2014—has been instrumental in accelerating India‑ASEAN cooperation.

Gotru emphasized the steady flow of high‑level dialogue that has kept political, connectivity, and economic issues at the forefront of the partnership. The ASEAN+8 format, which adds eight key regional players to the traditional ASEAN bloc, will serve as a platform for discussions ranging from maritime security to broader geopolitical trends.

Economic figures illustrate the partnership’s growth: bilateral trade has expanded from about US$5 billion to more than US$125 billion, while cumulative Indian investment in ASEAN economies has crossed the US$200 billion threshold. A landmark achievement is the signing of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the world’s first region‑wide, legally binding digital economy treaty, expected to generate fresh opportunities in e‑commerce, data exchange, and technology innovation.

The ambassador expects concrete declarations to emerge from the summit, which will further the implementation of the ASEAN‑India Strategic Partnership and the 2026‑2030 work plan, reinforcing a trajectory of deeper collaboration.