India–ASEAN Youth Conference 2026 Strengthens Next Generation Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific
- Foreign Policy Talks
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 12
On 11 July 2026, Foreign Policy Talks, in collaboration with The Geostrata, convened the fourth edition of the India–ASEAN Youth Conference, bringing together emerging researchers, policy practitioners, and young professionals from across India and Southeast Asia to examine the evolving strategic, economic, and geopolitical dynamics shaping the Indo-Pacific.
Held under the theme of strengthening India–ASEAN cooperation amid an increasingly uncertain global environment, the Conference provided a platform for substantive policy discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing both regions. The programme featured a scene setting address by Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, Professor and Dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs, Director General of the Jindal India Institute, and host of Indian Diplomacy on Doordarshan. His remarks highlighted the growing importance of India–ASEAN cooperation in navigating geopolitical competition, particularly amid intensifying rivalry among the major powers. He underscored that a stronger India–ASEAN partnership can contribute to a more balanced regional order while reinforcing the strategic autonomy of both sides across the economic, security, and other strategic domains.
The Conference was organised around three thematic discussions. The first panel examined ASEAN–India economic resilience in an era of strategic uncertainty, highlighting the importance of building resilience in an increasingly multipolar world. The discussion explored opportunities to strengthen supply chains, deepen trusted economic partnerships, enhance digital connectivity, and advance cooperation in critical minerals, while also underscoring the importance of legal and regulatory certainty in fostering investor confidence and long-term economic collaboration.
The second panel focused on BRICS expansion, Global South cooperation, and the future of global governance. Participants discussed the growing demand for more inclusive international institutions, the evolving role of emerging economies in global decision making, and the prospects for deeper cooperation among India, ASEAN, and other developing countries in advancing a more representative and balanced international order. The discussion also considered both the opportunities and limitations of broader Global South cooperation amid diverse strategic interests across the region.
The final panel explored strategic autonomy and regional stability in an increasingly fragmenting global order. Participants exchanged perspectives on how India and ASEAN can preserve diplomatic flexibility while responding to intensifying great power competition, economic protectionism, and shifting geopolitical alignments. The discussion underscored the role of middle powers in promoting regional stability and highlighted the importance of pragmatic cooperation in maintaining an open, inclusive, and rules based Indo-Pacific.
The diversity of perspectives enriched the discussions and provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas on shared regional challenges while fostering stronger professional connections across national boundaries.
As India and ASEAN continue to deepen cooperation across economic, technological, and strategic domains, meaningful engagement among the next generation of policymakers and analysts will become increasingly important. The fourth India–ASEAN Youth Conference reflects the shared commitment of Foreign Policy Talks and The Geostrata to strengthening cross regional dialogue, cultivating lasting professional networks, and encouraging informed discussions that will contribute to the future of India–ASEAN relations and the broader Indo-Pacific.
Comments