India has historically enjoyed very warm and cordial relations with most of the Asia Pacific countries, close proximity, strong people to people connect and free flow of goods & services have remained as the key pillars of the strategic partnership. Over the past few years, Asia Pacific has sustained a period of robust growth. India’s economy, is expected to grow by 7 percent in the fiscal year 2024-25, supported by increase in public investment to boost domestic demand and incentives schemes to boost manufacturing.

While many of these economies have a considerable share of revenues from international exports, domestic demand is expected to be the primary driver for growth in the near. The government of India has also built several mechanisms to ensure socio-economic and overall development of the region. Enhancing intra-regional trade is necessary to increase connectivity in the Asia Pacific region. The ensuing economic growth would also play a key role in bridging the trust deficit in the region and raise the opportunity cost of conflict.

India’s total Export with the various countries of Asia Pacific stood at US$ 26 billion whereas total Import from the region stood at US$ 7 billion during the year 2024-2025 (Apr-Sep).

India's engagement with the Asia-Pacific region in 2024-2025 is marked by a robust focus on diplomatic, economic, and security partnerships, underpinned by the guiding vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). The region's strategic significance stems from its role as a hub for global trade, economic integration, and technological innovation. Key highlights include:

India's collaboration with Japan emphasizes innovation and digital connectivity through initiatives like the Japan-India IoT Investment Initiative and partnerships in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Bilateral trade and investment in industrial and technological sectors continue to grow, supported by shared research programs and educational exchanges to strengthen ties.

On the security front, India actively participates in joint maritime exercises and capacity-building programs with regional partners. The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024 highlighted India's commitment to a rule-based international order and cooperative frameworks to address maritime challenges such as resource competition and geopolitical tensions. The Indian Navy’s leadership in maritime security initiatives reflects India’s role as a first responder in the region.

In trade and infrastructure development, India is deepening economic integration with Asia-Pacific countries. Programs like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) foster collaboration in capacity building. Further, India promotes sustainable development projects, particularly in renewable energy, urban development, and climate change adaptation.

India’s strategy includes enhancing its trade partnerships through free trade agreements and regional connectivity projects such as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, aimed at linking India with Southeast Asia. The nation’s focus on sustainability aligns with regional efforts to tackle climate change and ensure environmental security.

The Asia-Pacific region remains critical to India's economic and strategic aspirations, and the coming years will see continued efforts to strengthen partnerships for collective growth and security​

Objective

In 2024, India strengthened its relationships with Asia-Pacific nations through comprehensive initiatives in trade, technology, and security cooperation. At the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in October, India reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN as a core component of its Act East Policy, which has shaped its approach to the Asia-Pacific for the last decade. With ASEAN accounting for 11% of India’s global trade, the two sides emphasized deepening their economic ties by advancing the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement and focusing on areas like digital transformation and climate resilience. Despite a trade imbalance, this partnership remains central to India’s regional strategy.                                                                      

The session will explore how Indian industry can benefit from the expertise of Asia-Pacific counterparts, while emphasizing India's potential to attract more FDI from the region and boost bilateral trade. It will focus on leveraging Asia-Pacific’s technological and industrial strengths and strengthening India’s position as a key partner in sectors like energy, technology, and infrastructure.

India also took an active role in the Quad partnership with Australia, Japan, and the U.S., advocating for a free and open Indo-Pacific while addressing shared challenges such as maritime security, technological innovation, and climate adaptation. The Quad’s initiatives served as a counterweight to China’s growing influence in the region and highlighted India’s commitment to defending the rules-based international order.

Additionally, India’s collaborations extended to trilateral arrangements, such as with South Korea and the U.S., particularly in emerging technologies like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and biotech. Through programs like “Semicon India,” India attracted investments to bolster its position as an R&D and technology hub, reinforcing its strategic importance in the global value chain.

Furthermore, India’s Indo-Pacific engagements prioritized maritime security and connectivity in the Indian Ocean, collaborating with partners like Japan and Australia to ensure free and secure sea lines of communication. These efforts collectively highlighted India’s growing influence and its strategic balancing act in the geopolitically complex Asia-Pacific region.

In 2025, India’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region reflects a robust blend of economic partnerships, strategic collaborations, and diplomatic initiatives. The region remains pivotal to India's Act East Policy and its broader Indo-Pacific vision, emphasizing connectivity, security, and mutual prosperity.

India and Japan continue to solidify ties with a focus on infrastructure, defense, and regional security. Japan’s commitment to invest $75 billion by 2030 in quality infrastructure projects across Asia aligns with India's goals of regional connectivity. Collaborative defense efforts include joint military drills and partnerships in advanced technologies such as cybersecurity and unmanned systems.

Australia is another cornerstone of India's Asia-Pacific outreach. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership fosters collaboration in renewable energy, critical minerals, and education. Australian universities expanding their presence in India are strengthening academic and cultural exchanges.

South Korea remains a vital partner in technology, automotive, and defense industries. Ongoing agreements aim to boost trade and deepen investments, particularly in electronics and green technologies. These efforts align with India’s vision of achieving technological self-reliance while fostering mutual growth.

India’s strategic collaboration with the Asia-Pacific region in 2024-2025 reflects a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership across a range of sectors. With strong ties in energy, defense, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and technology, India continues to strengthen its presence as a key player in the region’s economic and security architecture. The focus on sustainable development, connectivity, and digital transformation is expected to foster even deeper integration, contributing to long-term prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.