• The 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaffirming its enduring commitment to multilateralism, international law, and collective peacebuilding.
  • The summit adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Peace and Stability (2025) — a landmark reaffirmation of the EAS’s founding principles and its role in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • It also commemorated 20 years of the EAS, reaffirming earlier milestone declarations that have shaped its evolution.
CONTINUITY OF COMMITMENTS The 2025 Declaration reaffirmed earlier foundational instruments:
  1. 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration – Vision and principles establishing the EAS.
  2. 2010 Ha Noi Declaration – 5th Anniversary of EAS.
  3. 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration – 10th Anniversary.
  4. 2020 Ha Noi Declaration – 15th Anniversary.
  5. 2011 Bali Principles Declaration – Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations.
These collectively form the core constitutional framework of the East Asia Summit.

ABOUT EAST ASIA SUMMIT

20TH EAST ASIA SUMMIT explained for UPSC

MEMBERSHIP

  • ASEAN-10: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • Plus 8 Partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.

Collective Stats (2024):

  • ~53% of the world’s population
  • ~60% of global GDP

INDIA & EAST ASIA SUMMIT

  • Founding Member of the EAS (since 2005).
  • Considers EAS a key pillar of its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
  • Platform for India to engage major powers and promote free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific cooperation.
  • At the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit (Kuala Lumpur, 2025), India declared 2026 as the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation to deepen ties in:
    • Blue Economy
    • Maritime Security & Connectivity
    • Sustainable Fisheries and Disaster Management.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025 DECLARATION

Theme Key Provisions
1. Commitment to Multilateralism & International Law Reaffirmed dedication to UN Charter, ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) as guiding instruments.
2. Recognition of Global Challenges Acknowledged the impact of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, security threats, and transboundary issues; called for collective global response.
3. ASEAN Unity & Centrality Reaffirmed ASEAN as the driving force within the EAS and the broader regional architecture.
4. Peaceful Dispute Resolution Emphasized dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law — including UNCLOS 1982 — to resolve regional disputes.
5. Strengthening EAS Framework Called for continued implementation of the EAS Plan of Action (2024–2028) and maintenance of the forum’s informal, consultative nature.
6. Roles of EAS Mechanisms Acknowledged the work of the EAS Foreign Ministers, Senior Officials, EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta, and the EAS Unit within ASEAN Secretariat for coordination and policy continuity.
7. Economic Cooperation & Resilience Reaffirmed cooperation to enhance regional resilience, sustainable development, and reduction of development gaps.
8. ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) Reiterated support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) — promoting inclusivity, connectivity, and community-building in the Indo-Pacific.
9. Dialogue & Cooperation Emphasized that the EAS will remain a leader-led, open forum for candid, constructive, and cooperative dialogue on political, economic, and strategic issues.
10. Vision for the Future Reaffirmed the EAS as a cornerstone of regional peace, committed to upholding mutual respect, equality, partnership, and consultation.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DECLARATION

Domain Significance
Strategic Reinforces ASEAN’s central role in Indo-Pacific security architecture.
Diplomatic Provides a platform for major powers (India, US, China, Russia, Japan) to engage constructively.
Legal Reaffirms the UN Charter and international law as non-negotiable principles.
Economic Encourages regional cooperation, resilient supply chains, and sustainable growth.
Maritime Strengthens regional commitment to freedom of navigation, Blue Economy, and maritime cooperation.

INDIA’S TAKEAWAYS

  • India reiterated its support for ASEAN centrality and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
  • India’s 2026 Year of Maritime Cooperation aligns with EAS’s renewed focus on peaceful maritime governance.
  • EAS complements India’s broader engagements — Quad, IORA, and ASEAN-led mechanisms.