On 16 October 2025, the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, in collaboration with the India Foundation, convened the inaugural India–ASEAN Strategic Dialogue — a platform to advance policy discourse and strengthen regional cooperation between India and ASEAN member states.
The event featured a Keynote Address by H.E. Shri Prashant Agrawal, Additional Secretary (Southern Division), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, followed by a Welcome Address by Dr. Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation, and Special Addresses by YB Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI); H.E. Shri R.N. Reddy, High Commissioner of India to Malaysia; and Dato’ Raja Nurshirwan bin Zainal Abidin, Director General of the National Security Council, Malaysia.
Dr. Sumathy Permal, Senior Fellow at MIMA’s Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy (MSD), participated as a Discussant in the Reflection Session, highlighting Malaysia’s active engagement in Indian Ocean affairs. She was joined by Mr. Haikal Amran and Ms. Nurismarina, also representing MIMA.
The dialogue gathered distinguished speakers and participants to exchange perspectives across three thematic sessions: The State of Geopolitics Today: Perspectives from India and ASEAN, Converging Pathways: AOIP and IPOI Synergies and Indian-led Initiatives, and Regional AI Governance: Scope for ASEAN–India Cooperation.