Malaysia sets priorities during ASEAN chairmanship in 2025

As the ASEAN chair next year, Malaysia will lead the regional grouping to ease the US-China tensions, address lingering crisis in Myanmar, and handle issues arising with its neighbours, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In an interview with India Today Global during his three-day official visit to India, he said the protracted tensions between the U.S. and China over the past few years have not only led to the deterioration of bilateral relations between them but also affected global stability, and economic prosperity.

He described ASEAN as the most cohesive sub-regional grouping in the world, with well-established relations among member states and powers.

Even on the Myanmar issue, he noted, the association will continue to engage with all parties involved to resolve the prolonged crisis, elaborating that ASEAN leaders in April 2021 endorsed a five-point consensus to address the political crisis in the nation, including calling for the immediate cessation of violence, and the commencement of constructive dialogues to restore peace and security following a military coup in February the same year.

According to Anwar, despite hardship and difficulty, ASEAN must continue its engagement in settling the issue.

Furthermore, he affirmed that Malaysia resolved to address arising issues with neighbouring countries, including disputes in the East Sea through both bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.

He also stressed the important role of India to ASEAN, expressing his hope that the association will set up deep strategic cooperation with the South Asian country.

He said he attaches much importance to the ties with India, and has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ASEAN summit next year, and the latter had accepted.