India reaffirms commitment to regional energy cooperation at East Asia Summit
MANILA: India has reaffirmed its commitment to regional energy cooperation, energy security and the development of a secure, resilient and sustainable energy future at the 20th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers’ Meeting held in Manila on Thursday.
Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik represented India at the meeting and highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation among countries in the region.
Naik welcomed the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026–2030 and emphasised India’s support for closer collaboration under the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for the same period.
The discussions covered areas including regional power transmission, multilateral power trade, clean energy and energy security. India also reiterated its support for initiatives aimed at improving regional electricity connectivity.
The minister referred to the ASEAN Power Grid initiative and recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in 2025 to support the initiative through training for 400 professionals on grid connectivity.
India’s participation reflects its wider Act East Policy and its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. Energy cooperation has emerged as an important area of engagement as countries across the region seek to strengthen energy security while increasing the share of cleaner energy sources.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for participating countries to discuss ways to build more resilient regional energy systems and promote cooperation in the transition towards sustainable energy.
India has been increasingly emphasising regional partnerships in renewable energy, power connectivity and technology as part of its broader engagement with ASEAN and East Asian countries.
The latest discussions underline India’s interest in supporting regional energy cooperation while advancing affordable, reliable and sustainable energy access.
