Asean Summit 2025 Live Updates: 'Terrorism poses a continuous and corrosive threat,' says Jaishankar at 20th East Asia Summit

As the 47th ASEAN Summit kicks off in Kuala Lumpur, the meetings have reaffirmed both the bloc’s relevance and the mounting challenges it faces in an era of global upheaval. Over three days of intense diplomacy, Southeast Asian leaders— joined by global heavyweights including the United States, China, Japan, and India — tackled a packed agenda dominated by trade, security, and regional stability.

US President Donald Trump’s presence pointed to Washington’s determination to reassert influence in the Indo-Pacific, even as his tariff measures continue to unsettle Asian markets. He will oversee new trade deals with Malaysia and witnes the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia, projecting himself as a “global dealmaker” on his return to the region.

For Malaysia, hosting the summit is both a diplomatic showcase and a balancing act. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership emphasises ASEAN’s unity amid growing polarization, warning that “the space for neutrality and centrality is narrowing.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the summit virtually, ruling out a face-to-face with Trump amid trade tensions.

07:38 (IST) Oct 26

PM Modi to skip ASEAN summit, to join virtually

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced he will not travel to Kuala Lumpur in person, choosing to attend the ASEAN-India Summit virtually — ruling out a possible face-to-face with Trump.

07:37 (IST) Oct 26

RCEP leaders to reconvene after five years

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership — the world’s largest trade bloc encompassing ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand — will meet for the first time since 2020 to strengthen regional trade links shaken by Washington’s tariff policies.

07:37 (IST) Oct 26

Malaysia warns of rising global turbulence

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan cautioned that “the turbulence of global politics will continue to cast a long shadow” over the region, urging ASEAN to stay united as its neutrality narrows amid growing rivalry between major powers.

07:37 (IST) Oct 26

Summit to spotlight security, trade and resilience

The ASEAN Summit begins Sunday, followed by high-level talks with partners including China, Japan, India, Australia, Russia, South Korea and the US. Leaders are expected to discuss regional security, supply-chain stability, and the impact of US tariffs on Asian economies.

07:37 (IST) Oct 26

Foreign ministers meet ahead of ASEAN summit

Southeast Asian foreign ministers gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to set the stage for the 47th ASEAN Summit, which will formally welcome East Timor as the bloc’s 11th member and mark President Donald Trump’s first Asia trip since returning to office.

The 47th ASEAN Summit will begin in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday amid heightened geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty, and shifting regional alliances. The three-day event brings together leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and key partners including the United States, China, Japan, India, Australia, Russia, and South Korea — in what is shaping up to be one of the bloc’s most consequential meetings in years.

US President Donald Trump’s participation marks his first trip to Asia since returning to the White House, signalling renewed American engagement in the Indo-Pacific. His visit comes as Washington’s tariffs and trade policies continue to ripple through the region, testing economic resilience and ASEAN’s neutrality.

Adding to the summit’s significance, East Timor is being formally inducted as ASEAN’s 11th member — the bloc’s first expansion in 26 years — symbolizing regional inclusivity and unity amid global fragmentation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, will skip the in-person meetings, citing Deepavali celebrations, and will attend virtually, avoiding a potential encounter with Trump. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sought to steer the summit toward cooperation and dialogue, warning that global divisions are narrowing ASEAN’s space for neutrality.

With tensions over the South China Sea, the Myanmar crisis, and economic realignments dominating the agenda, the Kuala Lumpur summit is being closely watched as a test of ASEAN’s centrality — and its ability to balance competing global powers while maintaining its long-held principle of consensus.