Malaysia (Commonwealth Union)_ Malaysia took center stage, hosting the 47th session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28, 2025. The three-day summit brought together leaders from Southeast Asia and beyond to discuss urgent topics like trade, regional security, and the global crisis. Under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the host country pledged to drive meaningful action on behalf of all. Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, welcomed heads of state and government from ASEAN member countries as well as significant worldwide partners. The summit provided a forum for high-level debate and multilateral collaboration, demonstrating Malaysia’s desire to play a leading role in regional affairs.
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World Leaders in Attendance
The summit saw a broad and influential array of participants. From the United States, Donald Trump attended the ASEAN leaders’ dinner and used the occasion to emphasize America’s commitment to the region. China, though represented not by its president but by Premier Li Qiang, joined the gathering through its leadership in Kuala Lumpur. Other global leaders included Australia’s Anthony Albanese, Canada’s Mark Carney, and New Zealand’s Christopher Luxon. From the ASEAN bloc itself, the roster included Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto; Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet; Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính; the Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul; and Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos‑Horta. The presence of several leaders underscored the importance attached to this year’s gathering, not only for Southeast Asia but also for the wider global order.
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration
At the heart of this year’s summit was the adoption of the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration.” This statement reaffirmed member countries’ shared dedication to a sequence of earlier foundational accords: the 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit, the 2010 Hanoi Declaration, the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration, and the 2020 Hanoi Declaration. The statement stated that the region is currently experiencing a complex combination of geopolitical conflict, economic fragility, security risks, and cross-border issues. It argued that these difficulties cannot be handled in isolation but rather via collective effort and teamwork. It also reaffirmed its commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, recognizing them as critical foundations for ongoing cooperation, mutual trust, and stability.
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Timor-Leste Included as ASEAN’s New Member
One of the most significant developments of the summit was the formal induction of Timor‑Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN, bringing the bloc’s tally to Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and now Timor-Leste. The ceremony took place on 26 October and marked ASEAN’s first expansion since the 1990s, a step more than ten years in the planning. Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão characterized the achievement as “a dream realized” for his country, citing the path of tenacity, commitment, and hope. At the formal event, the Timor-Leste flag was raised alongside the other member states, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter for both the country and the region.
PM Modi’s Speech
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the summit virtually and addressed the delegates. He stressed that India and the ASEAN nations share not just geographic proximity but common values, interests, and goals, and he declared the 21st century to belong to this grouping. Modi extended his congratulations to Malaysia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for convening the summit and praised the theme of “inclusivity and sustainability” as reflective of their shared efforts in areas like digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains. He also acknowledged that India and the ASEAN countries together account for over a quarter of the world’s population and that their common history, trade, and cultural links bind them together in a strong partnership. He complimented Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for requesting India to serve as national coordinator, emphasizing New Delhi’s role as a reliable partner in the region.
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Dr S Jaishankar’s Bilateral Discussions
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar used the sidelines of the summit to hold several bilateral talks with key global and regional counterparts. He met Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and conveyed warm wishes for a successful summit while also discussing deepening bilateral cooperation and people-to-people links between India and Malaysia. He also held talks with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, where the conversation ranged over global and regional trends as well as opportunities in India–Singapore relations. With Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Dr Jaishankar reaffirmed both countries’ strategic partnership and looked ahead to enhanced collaboration. Additionally, with South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Dr Jaishankar discussed cooperation in sectors like automotive, electronics, semiconductors, defence, and ship-building, appreciating the deepening special strategic partnership between the two countries. On the US front, the Indian minister met with Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State, and reflected on not only India–US bilateral ties but also shared regional and global concerns.
US President Trump’s Engagement at the ASEAN Summit
At the event, President Donald Trump committed to resolving regional disputes quickly, citing the neighboring conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an example. He stated on the sidelines of the summit that he expected to “get that solved very quickly.” He also addressed the broader Southeast Asian leaders, affirming the United States’ deep and long-term commitment to the region. “Our message to the nations of Southeast Asia is that the United States is with you 100%, and we intend to be a strong partner for many generations,” he said. In the context of the summit, he also attended the signing ceremony of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, indicating that the US is actively engaging with regional issues beyond its traditional focus.
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Historic Thailand–Cambodia Peace Deal
One of the summit’s landmark moments came when Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet signed a joint peace deal in the presence of President Trump. The Cambodian leader expressed deep gratitude to the US for backing a lasting peace process, emphasizing that disputes, however difficult, can be resolved by peaceful means. The Thai Prime Minister echoed this sentiment and proclaimed that the new treaty marks a fresh chapter in relations between the two countries. He also pledged that Thailand will begin the process of removing weapons and freeing prisoners of war as part of the agreement. Alongside the peace accord, President Trump signed a reciprocal trade pact with Cambodia and a critical minerals deal with Thailand after signing the peace deal.
US–China Trade Discussion
Another important event was the economic talks between China and the United States held on the summit’s margins. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to chart a path forward for Sino-US trade relations. In the wake of these talks, the US reportedly stepped back from a plan to impose a fresh 100% tariff on Chinese goods in response to Beijing’s expanded export controls on rare earth materials. From China’s side, Vice-Premier He described the essence of their economic relationship as rooted in mutual benefit and cooperation and warned of the risks of confrontation. The two sides agreed on a framework for a forthcoming trade deal, with President Trump expressing confidence that he would meet President Xi Jinping soon to finalize the agreement.
Handover of ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines
As the summit drew to a close, Malaysia formally handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to the Philippines, which will hold the position in 2026. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim symbolically passed the gavel to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a ceremony marking the transition of leadership. During his closing remarks, Anwar reflected on the privilege of hosting the summit in Kuala Lumpur, describing the experience as deeply illuminating. “In today’s world, where constancy is a rare virtue,” he said, “we must be guided by reason, not ruled by the stirrings and frenzies of the moment. That must be ASEAN’s way if we are to endure.” With that, the baton now passes to the Philippines, and the region sets its sights on the next chapter of cooperation and dialogue.
Furthermore, the 47th ASEAN Summit has been a moment of significance, from formal declarations and new membership to major bilateral engagements and high-stakes diplomacy. The three-day event in Kuala Lumpur underscored the imperative of shared purpose, inclusion, and sustainability in an age marked by uncertainty. The region, together with its global partners, demonstrated a willingness to confront the complex challenges of our time and to reaffirm the promise of cooperation for the future.
