Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Missed opportunity: On India and ASEAN summit in Malaysia

Missed opportunity: On India and ASEAN summit in Malaysia

India could have made better use of the ASEAN Summit

Since 1995, when India became a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and 2002, when it was upgraded to Summit level, the annual ASEAN summit has been an opportunity for India to reconnect with a region with historical linkages (जुड़ाव), and now increasing geopolitical (भू-राजनीतिक) importance. In addition to the ASEAN and ASEAN-India summits, the annual East Asia Summit (including the U.S., China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, India and the ASEAN countries) is a chance for the Indian leadership to interact (To act in such a way as to have an effect on another; to communicate or deal with others) with the most powerful countries on Indo-Pacific issues. The rebirth of the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. ‘Quad’, for example, took place in 2017, after a decade-long hiatus, on the sidelines (To remove someone from active participation or consideration; to put aside, often to pursue a less important role) of the ASEAN summit. Underlining this importance in his virtual speech at the ASEAN-India summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (October 26, 2025) Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the 21st century “the century of India and ASEAN”, and committed to India’s support to “ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific”. He also announced that 2026 would be the year of ASEAN-India maritime cooperation, with a focus on humanitarian (मानवतावादी) assistance and disaster response, maritime security and the region’s blue economy. The summit — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India — came at a time of increased geopolitical turbulence (अशांति), including the economic turmoil (उथल-पुथल) unleashed (मुक्त करना) by the U.S.’s tariff policy, China’s constraints (प्रतिबंध) on crucial exports, and maritime tensions. At the East Asia Summit, Mr. Jaishankar called the times “complicated (जटिल बनाना)”, taking aim at the U.S. for constraining energy trade with Russia and applying its principles “selectively”, and China for supply chain reliability and market access issues. India and ASEAN also committed to finalising the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) soon.

The strong statements and commitment to cooperation did not, however, sufficiently cover for Mr. Modi’s absence from the Summit — he was absent in 2022 also. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Mr. Modi had expressed his inability to attend due to festivities in India, but the explanation was unconvincing as the ASEAN engagement had been planned months in advance. While some pointed to Mr. Modi’s campaign schedule for the Bihar Assembly polls, others cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s presence and India-U.S. trade deal tensions as a possible reason for his staying away. A few even suggested a lingering (टिकना, लंबे समय तक रहना) strain in the India-Malaysia relationship over Malaysia’s diplomatic (राजनयिक) support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and a visit by the Pakistani Prime Minister to Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. Mr. Modi may have had international, domestic or bilateral reasons, but the no-show was a missed opportunity, especially when other global players including the U.S. and China demonstrated their commitment to regional stability, by simply being there.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Linkage (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – जुड़ाव
English Meaning – A connection or link between two or more things.

2.Geopolitical (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – भू-राजनीतिक
English Meaning – Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.

3.Humanitarian (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – मानवतावादी
English Meaning – Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare; a person who promotes human welfare and social reform.

4.Turbulence (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – अशांति
English Meaning – Violent or unsteady movement of air or water, or some other fluid; a state of conflict or confusion.

5.Turmoil (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – उथल-पुथल
English Meaning – A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

6.Unleash (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – मुक्त करना
English Meaning – To release from a leash or restraint; to cause (a powerful force) to be released or become unrestrained.

7.Constraint (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – प्रतिबंध
English Meaning – A limitation or restriction; a restrictive element.

8.Complicate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – जटिल बनाना
English Meaning – To make (something) more difficult or convoluted.

9.Linger (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – टिकना, लंबे समय तक रहना
English Meaning – To stay in a place longer than necessary because of a reluctance to leave; to remain or persist.

10.Diplomatic (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – राजनयिक
English Meaning – Relating to the management of international relations; having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.

11.Interact (Verb)

English Meaning – To act in such a way as to have an effect on another; to communicate or deal with others.

12.Sideline (Verb)

English Meaning – To remove someone from active participation or consideration; to put aside, often to pursue a less important role.