India and ASEAN Strengthen Relations Through Culture and Creative Products
Collaborative spaces that bring together cross-border cultures are becoming increasingly important in strengthening relations between peoples amid global dynamics. The relationship between India and Southeast Asian nations continues to be strengthened through cultural, culinary, artistic channels and people-to-people interactions.
This spirit was evident at the ASEAN-India Bazaar 2026, held at The Westin Jakarta on Saturday, 23 May. The event, organised by India’s Mission to ASEAN and Indoindians, brought together hundreds of participants showcasing diverse creative economy products, services, as well as arts and culture. Visitors were also offered various Indian and ASEAN culinary specialties.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty assessed that the bazaar reflected deepening relations between India and Southeast Asia. According to him, current global geopolitical and economic dynamics are making India-ASEAN relations increasingly relevant. Cooperation between the two regions is considered to have significant potential given their geographic proximity.
He added that India-ASEAN relations are not only built through economic cooperation and trade but also through strengthening people-to-people connections.
“As the world faces geopolitical and geoeconomic turmoil, cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations under ASEAN becomes increasingly relevant,” he said.
The bazaar opening was also attended by Indian Ambassador to ASEAN Srinivas Gotru, Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to ASEAN Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Director General of ASEAN Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, and Deputy Secretary General of the ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh.
Indoindians founder Poonam Sagar said the ASEAN-India Bazaar represents the long-standing relationship between India and Southeast Asia. Cultural relations and social interactions between India and ASEAN nations are expected to continue developing amid changing global dynamics.
“This is a celebration of the long relationship between India and Southeast Asia built through trade, culture, food, art, ideas, and people,” said Poonam.