2025 to be Celebrated as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism and India to contribute USD 5 million
Highlighting New Delhi’s enduring ties with ASEAN nations, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that India would be contributing USD 5 million towards joint cooperative initiatives to advance tourism development in the region.
During a special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Laos, Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, revealed that 2025 will be celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. These efforts were part of a broader 10-point action plan, unveiled by PM Modi, aimed at reinforcing connectivity and strengthening the resilience of ASEAN nations in collaboration with India.
This year also commemorates a decade since the inception of India’s Act East Policy. According to the MEA Secretary, ASEAN nations have given a favourable assessment of India’s contributions, particularly in the realm of digital public infrastructure and its collaborative efforts across multiple sectors under this policy.
ASEAN leaders and Prime Minister Modi reviewed the comprehensive relationship between ASEAN and India. The leaders expressed appreciation for India’s diverse collaborations through the Act East Policy, particularly noting India’s pivotal role in digital public infrastructure, which is poised to significantly benefit ASEAN nations.
PM Modi announced a 10-point action plan aimed at enhancing connectivity and resilience with ASEAN. Among the various initiatives is the decision to celebrate 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. The announcement of India’s commitment of USD 5 million towards joint tourism activities was warmly received by ASEAN leaders, marking a positive development in the region’s cooperation with India. Several people-centric initiatives were also introduced to celebrate the 10-year milestone of the Act East Policy.
Mazumdar underscored the importance of PM Modi’s participation in the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, which underscored India’s focus and commitment to the region and the East Asia Process.
PM’s attendance at these summits holds special significance as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Act East Policy. His participation for the 11th time in these meetings exemplifies India’s ongoing commitment to ASEAN and the broader East Asia Process.
Mazumdar also clarified that only a Chair statement, and not a Leaders’ statement, was issued at the East Asia Summit due to irreconcilable differences in the discussions over certain formulations.
PM Modi’s two-day visit to Laos, held from October 10-11 at the invitation of Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, saw his participation in the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. In addition to these, he held bilateral meetings with leaders from Laos, Thailand and New Zealand, as well as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
