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US President Donald Trump left on Friday on a 5-day Asia tour. He will arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this morning, where he will attend the ASEAN Summit. Trump will attend this conference for the first time since 2017.
He will finalize a ceasefire agreement on the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today.
In July, there was a 5-day fight between the two countries over the border dispute, in which 48 people were killed. Trump then facilitated what would be called the ‘Kuala Lumpur Accord’ over the phone.
The ASEAN Summit will start from today in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. This summit is a big platform for 10 countries of South-East Asia, where issues like trade, security, education and culture will be discussed.
The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit is Inclusivity and Sustainability. From the Indian side, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will participate in this summit. Earlier there was news of PM Modi’s participation, but now he will participate virtually.
Photo of the 2017 ASEAN Summit. Trump posing for a picture with ASEAN country leaders.
Trump will go to Japan after Malaysia
After this, Trump will reach Japan on Monday, where he will meet the new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Trade and defense spending with Japan will be discussed, as Trump is demanding more investment from Japan in exchange for access to US markets.
Sanae Takaichi said yesterday that she spoke to President Trump on the phone. During this time, both of them decided to further strengthen the friendship between Japan and America. Takaichi said that she will take her relations with Trump to new heights.
Will meet the Chinese President in South Korea
After Japan, Trump will reach South Korea. Where he will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Here he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump wants to make a trade deal with China so that the trade war can end. The agreement includes the purchase of American soybeans, lifting of restrictions on rare earth minerals and controls on raw materials for drugs such as fentanyl. The US had imposed a 10% tariff in February 2025, which increased to 145% by April. Trump feels that this deal will further strengthen his image as a “great dealmaker”.
Before Trump reached Malaysia, senior US and Chinese officials held trade talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The world’s two largest economies are trying to stop a trade war and get Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea next week.
The conversation took place after Trump threatened to impose 100% taxes on Chinese goods from November 1 and tighten other trade rules. This threat came after China banned the export of certain minerals and magnets.
ASEAN is Asia’s third largest economy
The ASEAN organization was formed on 8 August 1967. The total population of the 10 countries included in this is 65 crores and GDP is 2.8 trillion dollars. ASEAN is the third largest economy in Asia.
The first summit of ASEAN was held in Bali in 1976. The chairman ship varies according to the English order of the countries’ names. Countries like India, America, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.
Vision 2045 will be adopted in the summit
In this summit, the blue prints of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 will be reviewed and the new Vision 2045 will be adopted. The ASEAN Summit usually takes place every year. In this, decisions are taken on economic, political, security and social issues.
This time, the priorities of host Malaysia are to strengthen the central role of ASEAN, enhance trust among countries, increase trade and investment, take advantage of science and technology, embrace digital transformation, reduce the development gap, eliminate inequality, improve living standards and tackle climate change.
India’s thousands of years old relations with ASEAN countries
ASEAN organization is very important in terms of India’s Act East policy. India has thousands of years of historical, religious and cultural relations with this entire region.
- Trade and InvestmentASEAN is India’s fourth largest trading friend. In 2022-23, trade between the two will be worth $122 billion, which was only $9 billion in 2002. Indian companies have invested in solar energy, mining and pharmaceutical sectors in ASEAN countries.
- Road and technology connectivity– India is increasing road, sea and digital connections with ASEAN. Like India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway and Kaladan Project (which will start in 2023) will make trade and movement easier. India is working with Singapore and Malaysia on digital technologies such as semiconductors. These steps will take India forward in technology and trade.
- safety and security– India’s friendship with ASEAN is also important for security. India is helping in maritime security, preventing piracy and disaster management. India and ASEAN jointly conducted the first maritime military exercise in 2023. India’s activism in organizations like Quad has made it a reliable partner.
- Culture and friendship- India and ASEAN have long-standing cultural ties. Projects related to Buddhism, such as Nalanda University and the Buddhist Confederation, strengthen ties with Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. India provides scholarships to ASEAN students and promotes yoga diplomacy. Indian people living in Malaysia and Singapore also deepen these relationships.
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