KUALA LUMPUR/MANILA (Bernama): As the Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia has called for strengthened Asean-India collaboration in key areas, including cybersecurity, digital governance, trade, and sustainable development, in line with its Chairmanship priorities of Inclusivity and Sustainability.
The proposal was put forward during the 27th Asean-India Senior Officials’ Meeting (AISOM), held in Manila on March 11-12, where the Director General of the Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat, Datuk Zanariah Zainal Abidin, led the Malaysian delegation.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the meeting reviewed the Asean-India Plan of Action (2021-2025) and discussed the development of a successor Plan of Action, which will set the direction for the Asean-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the next five years.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural spheres.
"Malaysia shared its priorities under its Asean Chairmanship 2025 underpinned by the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability."
"In this regard, Malaysia underscored the importance of enhancing Asean-India collaboration in the field of cybersecurity, data protection, and digital governance, trade and investment, digital economy, fintech solutions, smart cities, food security, sustainable tourism, sustainable energy and climate adaptation, disaster management, education and digital skills,” the ministry said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including discussions on the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), the situation in Myanmar, the South China Sea, and Palestine.
"Malaysia reiterated its commitment to fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and regional peace and stability through Asean-led mechanisms," the ministry stated. - Bernama
