East Asia Summit (EAS) established in 2005 is a unique, leader-led forum dedicated to political, security, and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. It brings together 18 member countries—the 10 ASEAN states alongside 8 major dialogue partners, including India, China, and the United States.The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a premier leaders-led regional forum, established in 2005, to address strategic, political, security and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Its inaugural summit was held on 14 December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, based on an idea proposed by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1991. The EAS functions as an open, consensus-based dialogue forum, with administrative support from the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, and does not operate through a binding treaty.

Significance for India:

• Strengthens Act East Policy: EAS provides a high-level platform for India’s engagement with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partners.

Ex: India’s Act East Policy places ASEAN at its centre.

• Strategic balancing: Enables India to engage simultaneously with major powers such as the US, China, Japan and Russia on regional issues.
• Maritime security: Supports cooperation on freedom of navigation, maritime safety and disaster response.

Ex: India’s SAGAR vision complements EAS maritime cooperation.

• Connectivity: Promotes physical, digital and economic connectivity with Southeast Asia.

Ex: India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway can strengthen India–ASEAN connectivity.

• Economic integration: Provides opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, technology and resilient supply chains.

Ex: India’s participation in Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) complements its wider Indo-Pacific economic engagement.

Challenges:

• US–China rivalry: Strategic competition can make consensus difficult.

Ex: Differences over the South China Sea.

• Regional territorial disputes: Maritime and territorial disputes can divide members.

Ex: Competing claims in the South China Sea.

• Divergent geopolitical interests: Members have different positions on global conflicts.

Ex: Divergent approaches towards the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

• Implementation deficit: EAS has produced several declarations, but translating them into concrete projects remains challenging.

Ex: Connectivity and infrastructure commitments often face financing and coordination constraints.

Important Initiatives:

• Maritime cooperation: Promotes dialogue on maritime security, safety and cooperation.

Ex: India’s SAGAR initiative complements this agenda.

• Disaster management: Facilitates cooperation on disaster preparedness and response.

Ex: India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) provides a complementary platform.

• Energy cooperation: Addresses energy security and sustainable energy transition.

Ex: India’s International Solar Alliance (ISA) complements regional renewable-energy cooperation.

Way Forward

• Strengthen ASEAN Centrality: Keep EAS an inclusive and ASEAN-led platform despite great-power rivalry.
• Move from declarations to delivery: Establish time-bound projects and measurable outcomes.
• Deepen maritime cooperation: Focus on maritime safety, search-and-rescue, disaster response and blue economy.
• Improve connectivity: Accelerate projects such as the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and strengthen digital connectivity.

The 21st East Asia Summit (EAS) is scheduled to be held in November 2026 in Manila, Philippines, under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship. The 21st EAS in Manila provides an opportunity to reinforce ASEAN centrality, regional stability and inclusive growth. For India, strengthening EAS can advance its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision, while translating dialogue into concrete cooperation in connectivity, maritime security and sustainable development.