The 3rd ASEAN-India Music Festival recently concluded in Delhi, bringing together music and cultural performances from across the ASEAN region and India.
The event, held at the historic Purana Quila from November 29 to December 1, was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Seher.
The festival was part of a larger series of celebrations marking the decade-long journey of India's 'Act East Policy', which focuses on strengthening India’s ties with the ASEAN nations.
The festival was inaugurated by Pabitra Margherita, the Minister of State for External Affairs, who was joined by ambassadors and high commissioners from ASEAN countries.
This year’s event was particularly significant, as it was part of the broader activities highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit held in Vientiane, Laos, on October 10, 2024.
The festival aimed to bring the people of India and ASEAN closer through the universal language of music, a reflection of the long-standing civilisational bonds between the two regions.
The festival featured performances by 10 bands from ASEAN member states and five bands from India, offering a rich variety of music that mesmerised audiences and showcased the cultural diversity and deep-rooted connections between India and Southeast Asia.
The music, in all its forms, celebrated the shared heritage between India and ASEAN countries, highlighting common cultural elements such as language, literature, art, architecture, and spiritual practices like Buddhism.
The audience, which numbered over 15,000, was deeply moved by the performances, which included both traditional and contemporary styles of music.
Minister Margherita, in his opening address, underscored the importance of music in bridging cultures and connecting people. He stated, “Music is a universal language that inspires, heals, and connects us. Today’s event is very special because we have an opportunity to hear music from a region with which we share deep civilisation bonds.”
He further highlighted the historical and cultural linkages between India and ASEAN, from the shared stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata to the common celebrations of various festivals across the regions.
India and ASEAN countries have had a series of high-level interactions in recent years, reflecting the growing importance of their relationship.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Laos in October 2024 marked another step in strengthening these ties, with the Prime Minister calling the 21st century the "Asian century" and emphasising the crucial role of India-ASEAN cooperation in shaping the future of Asia.
India’s continued commitment to ASEAN has been evident through various diplomatic and cultural engagements, underscoring the significance of these connections for mutual growth and prosperity.
In addition to the music festival, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, also reinforced the importance of the India-ASEAN relationship. In early November, he delivered the keynote address at the 8th Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks, where he spoke about the vast potential of the demographic and economic cooperation between India and ASEAN countries.
He noted, “India and ASEAN are major demographies whose emerging demands can not only support each other but become larger productive forces in the international economy. Our collaboration can also be crucial in addressing contemporary challenges.”
Jaishankar expressed his confidence in the strong cultural and civilisational ties that underpin the India-ASEAN partnership. He highlighted that this historical connection had paved the way for deeper cooperation, benefiting the people of both regions.
He also acknowledged the critical role of the ASEAN region in the global economic landscape and India’s determination to further deepen its strategic and economic ties with ASEAN countries.
Follow us
