Kuala Lumpur, Sept 25: Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, on Thursday reiterated India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, digital transformation, and sustainability at the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In his address, Prasada emphasized India’s push for deeper and mutually beneficial economic integration, resilient supply chains, and progress on ASEAN-India trade agreements. He underlined that these measures are key to inclusive growth and regional stability.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Minister held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from New Zealand, Cambodia, and Canada, focusing on trade enhancement, technology collaboration, supply chain resilience, and expanding strategic partnerships.
Later in the evening, Prasada interacted with leading business chambers in Malaysia, including the Malaysia-India Business Council (MIBC), led by Tan Sri Kuna Sittampalam, and the Consortium of Indian Industries in Malaysia (CIIM), chaired by Datuk Umang Sharma. “CIIM and MIBC together represent the strong and growing business and economic engagement between India and Malaysia,” he wrote on X.
The Minister also engaged with AI entrepreneurs in Malaysia, exploring opportunities for collaboration under the Malaysia-India Digital Council. During a visit to MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia’s national R&D centre, he witnessed cutting-edge work in semiconductors, AI, and advanced technologies, noting the potential for deeper India–Malaysia cooperation.
The EAS meeting, attended by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and regional ministers, reviewed the global economic outlook and discussed strengthening cooperation in new and emerging sectors to drive ESG-based growth.
India has already extended constructive support for the upcoming 20th East Asia Summit, continuing its active role in shaping regional economic frameworks since the EAS was first convened in Kuala Lumpur in 2005.
