(AseanAll)  — Ambassador Srinivas Gotru presented his Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat on August 6, 2025, assuming his post as the Ambassador of the Republic of India to ASEAN.

Kao Kim Hourn congratulated Ambassador Gotru on his assumption of office and reiterated the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to work closely with him and the Indian Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta in further strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Secretary-General Dr. Kao also commended India’s steadfast support for ASEAN Centrality and Community-building efforts as well as its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and fora.

Gotru underscored his commitment to further deepening ASEAN-India CSP, and ensuring a seamless continuation of efforts in fostering stronger ties between ASEAN and India. He further expressed his readiness to work closely with the ASEAN Secretariat to facilitate the advancement of cooperation between both sides and elevate it to greater heights.

ASEAN-India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995. In 2002, ASEAN and India convened the 1st ASEAN-India Summit. In 2012, ASEAN and India commemorated the 20th anniversary of its Dialogue Relations by elevating their ties to the level of Strategic Partnership. The year 2022 further marked an important milestone in ASEAN-India partnership as both sides agreed to establish the ASEAN-India CSP while commemorating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.  The commemoration was a testament to three decades of productive and mutually beneficial partnership between ASEAN and India.

Gotru succeeds Ambassador Jayant N. Khobragade, who completed his tenure on 2 August 2025. India began accrediting an Ambassador to ASEAN since 2010, and established a dedicated diplomatic Mission to ASEAN in 2015.