India and ASEAN Reinforce Strategic Agricultural Ties at 9th Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: The 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry and the 10th ASEAN–India Agriculture Working Group Meeting concluded in New Delhi on September 9, 2026, marking a significant milestone in deepening regional cooperation toward climate-resilient, sustainable, and tech-driven agriculture. Co-chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Department of Agriculture Secretary of the Philippines, H.E. Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, the summit outlined the strategic ASEAN–India Medium-Term Plan of Action 2026–2030, prioritizing climate-smart farming, AI-enabled digital solutions, low-emission rice production, and circular bioeconomies. Highlighted by the unveiling of the symbolic ‘India–ASEAN Friendship Spike for Agriculture and Forestry’, the high-level delegation—comprising 45 delegates across 11 ASEAN Member States—engaged with Indian researchers and industry leaders while touring cutting-edge facilities at ICAR-IARI, including the Gene Bank and Nanaji Deshmukh Phenomics Facility. Side exhibitions showcased transformative ICAR innovations such as the Kisan Sarathi digital platform empowering over 3 crore farmers, African Swine Fever vaccines, advanced shrimp farming models, and aeroponic horticultural solutions, setting a unified vision for food security and resilient value chains ahead of the next ministerial meeting in 2028