ASEAN, India Reaffirm Digital Partnership at ADGMIN

• ASEAN and India reaffirmed cooperation on digital inclusion, connectivity, and regional integration
• Ministers advanced collaboration on digital infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, and capacity building under the 2026 Digital Work Plan
• India showcased its digital public platforms and commitment to safe, trusted AI for shared growth

The 6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers’ (ADGMIN) Meeting took place virtually, thus giving further proof to the digital domain where ASEAN Member States and India via their cooperation.

The Meeting was the co-chaired by Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, and Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam. It was a major dialogue platform for digital inclusion, integration, and regional cooperation to move forward.

ADGMIN is a yearly gathering for telecom and digital ministers from all 11 ASEAN Member States—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam and representatives of ASEAN Dialogue Partners, including India.

One of the main topics of discussions was digital cooperation via infrastructure, policy frameworks, and emerging technologies, that is, through strengthening the existing cooperation.

Also Read: India, Sri Lanka Discuss Boosting Maritime Security in IOR

The meeting took note of the ASEAN–India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation adopted at the 21st ASEAN–India Summit in October 2024, which underscores partnership in Digital Public Infrastructure, fintech, cybersecurity, AI, capacity building, and sustainable investment, among others.

Progress under the ASEAN–India Digital Work Plan 2025 was acknowledged together with the adoption of the Digital Work Plan 2026 covering ICT capacity building, the India–ASEAN Regulators’ Conference, and telecom and ICT solutions deployment. The ministers also approved the launch of the ASEAN–India Fund for Digital Future.

During the meeting, Amit Agrawal spoke about India’s quick digital transformation, which included universal 4G coverage, rapid 5G rollout, rural connectivity through BharatNet, and the success of Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface, and DigiLocker platforms.

He assured India’s dedication to secure and reliable AI through the IndiaAI Mission and also recognized the common vision with ASEAN for a digital ecosystem that is open, secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven.