Significance of ASEAN for India
India's relationship with Asean has emerged as a key Cornerstone of our foreign policy. The India Asean strategic partnership acquired a new momentum with the announcement of act East policy in the 12th Summit in 2014. It conveyed a clear intent on the part of India to scaling up its engagement with the Asean member states. Here's everything you need to know about significance of Asean for India.
The association of Southeast
Asian nations comprises of Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei,
Thailand Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. India is focused on a
strengthened and multifaceted relationship with asean is an outcome of the
significant changes in the world's political and economic scenario since the
early 1990s and India's own March towards economic liberalization. India's
search for economic space resulted in the Look East policy. This policy has
today matured into a dynamic and action oriented act East policy. India has set
up a separate mission to Asean and the EAS in Jakarta in April 2015 with a
dedicated ambassador to strengthen engagement with Asean and Asean Centric
processes.
What is the significance of Asean for India?
Historical context and elevation of partnership
1992 India became a sectoral
dialogue partner with Asean marking the start of formal engagement. 1995
elevated to our dialogue partner increasing interactions to the foreign
minister level. 2002 the relationship was further upgraded to Summit level with
the first summit taking place in 2002. 2012 at the 20-year commemorative Summit
in New Delhi the dialogue partnership was upgraded to a strategic partnership.
2018 during the 25-year commemorative Summit India and asean agreed to focus on
cooperation in the maritime domain. 2022 the 30-year anniversary of Asean India
relations was celebrated designated as Asean India friendship year culminating
in the elevation of the Strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic
partnership.
Economic Powerhouse and Gateway to Southeast Asia markets
Asean represents a crucial economic block for India, offering access to a market of over 650 million people with a combined GDP of $3.2 trillion. The Asean India free trade area has boosted bilateral trade Asean is one of the major trade partners of India with a share of 11% in India's global trade. Singapore is India's largest trade partner in Asean and sixth largest trade partner worldwide and it was the largest source of FDI during the last Financial year valued at $ 11.77 billion.
Strategic counterbalance
In the context of rising
geopolitical tensions, Asean serves as a crucial strategic partner for India.
India's act East policy and Asean's outlook on the Indo Pacific. India's act
East policy and Asan's outlook on the Indo Pacific share complimentary Visions
for regional stability. The elevation of India Asean ties to a comprehensive
strategic partnership in 2022 underscores this alignment . India's engagement with Asean in forums like
the East Asia Summit and Asean Regional Forum provides platforms to assert its
role as a net security provider in the region and promoting a rules-based
international order.
Connectivity Catalyst
Asian is pivotal in India's vision of enhanced Regional connectivity. Projects like India-Myanmar- Thailand trilateral Highway and the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, despite delays represent India's commitment to physical integration with Southeast Asia. Digital connectivity initiatives, including the recent focus on 5G and cyber security cooperation, further strengthened these links. These connectivity projects are not just about infrastructure but are strategic investments in creating an integrated economic and cultural space.
Cultural Confluence
The Deep rooted historical and cultural ties between India and Southeast Asia provide a unique foundation for soft power diplomacy. Initiatives like Asean India artists’ camp and music festival celebrate this shared Heritage. The establishment of Asean India network of universities in 2022 further strengthens academic and cultural exchanges. These cultural links are increasingly important in an era where public diplomacy plays a crucial role in international relations helping India build Goodwill and influence in the region.
Technological Synergy
Asean's rapidly
digitalizing economies present significant opportunities for India's IT sector
and start-ups ecosystem. The inaugural Asean India start-ups festival showcases
the potential for collaboration in areas like fin-tech, e-commerce and
artificial intelligence. The Asean India Science and Technology Development
Fund with its recent $5 million boost supports joint research in Cutting- Edge
fields.
Maritime security collaboration
Asean is a key partner in
India's Maritime security strategy particularly in the context of indo-pacific
region. collaboration on issues like piracy ,illegal fishing and disaster
Management in bodies like the Asean regional forum and the expanded Asean
Maritime Forum Aligns with India's Sager which is security and
growth for all in the region Doctrine. The inaugural Asean India Maritime
exercise was held in South China Sea in May 2023.
Energy security and sustainability
Asean's energy rich
members offer opportunities for India to diversify its energy sources, crucial
for its growing economy. Simultaneously, India’s expertise in renewable energy
particularly solar power aligns with Asean's sustainability goals. The recent Asean
India high level conference on renewable energy exemplifies this Synergy. Cooperation in semiconductors Clean Energy
Technologies and sustainable development practices positions both India and Asean
at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change while ensuring
energy security.
Supply chain resilience
In the post-covid era, Asean has emerged as a key partner in India's effort to build resilient Supply chains. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in Global Supply networks promoting a rethink of overdependence on single Source. India Asean cooperation in sectors like Pharmaceuticals electronics and Automobiles is crucial for creating Diversified and robust Supply chains. This collaboration aligns with broader initiatives like supply chain resilience initiative involving India, Japan and Australia and creating more secure Regional value chains.
The 21st Asean India Summit was held in Laos PDR on 10th October 2024. Marking a decade of India's act e policy Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Asean leaders to review the progress of Asean India comprehensive strategic partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation this was prime minister's 11th participation in The Summit.
In his address Prime
Minister Modi reiterated India's support for Asean Unity, Asean centrality and Asean outlook on the Indo
Pacific. Calling the 21st century as the Asian Century he noted that India Asean
ties were critical to guarding Asia's
future. Emphasizing the vibrancy of
India's AC policy PM noted that in the last 10 years India Asean trade had
doubled to over $130 billion. Asean today is one of India's largest trades and
Investment Partners direct flight connectivity has been established with seven
Asean countries promising beginning has been made with fin-tech collaboration
with the region and significant progress has been made in restoration of shared
cultural heritage in five Asean countries. Prime minister underlined the need to complete
the review of Asean India FDA in a time bound manner towards harnessing greater
economic potential for the benefit of Asean India Community. Prime minister
also spoke about the progress in India Asean knowledge partnership through the
scholarships provided to Asean youths at the Nalanda University.
Read this also : 19th East Asia Summit 2024
Faced with growing
traditional and non-traditional challenges security cooperation is of Paramount
importance and an emerging pillar of our relationship. Rising export of Terror
and spread of extreme violence Define the landscape of common security threats
to our societies. Our partnership with Asean
seeks to craft a response that relies on coordination cooperation and sharing
of experiences at multiple levels. the
region continues to be confronted with multiple challenges arising from the
rise of new powers growing strategic competition the threats posed by and
non-traditional security challenges such as pandemic cyber warfare climate
change and natural disasters tensions over sovereignty and resource exploitation
in the South China Sea and the lack of inclusive development. India and Asean
have a common interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region. They
have signed a joint declaration on defence cooperation which In the future
strategic partnership. India has been a
useful partner to Asean in this field. It
has been helping Asean countries build their defences capabilities. Asean India cooperation in the field can be
enhanced through regular exchanges between military officials and academics. India and Asean conduct many joint military
exercises cooperation in counterterrorism can be initiated by exchanging
information between intelligence agencies and Joint investigations. Asean and
India are also important players in the global effort to counter the challenge
of climate change. Asean and India cooperate on the issue of marine pollution
and conduct environmental Emergency Operations where both sides can share
expertise. The two sides can also
cooperate on renewable energy and solar and wind power development it can help
reduce carbon emissions and their dependence on fossil fuels. Looking ahead the focus will be increasingly
on enhancing Maritime and air connectivity between Asean and India. Besides launching more direct flights between
Tier 1 and tier 2 cities of India and Asean countries the real action will be
in the area of Maritime connectivity as the bulk of India Asean trade flows
through sea Lanes. Plans to inter link
is lands of India and Asean countries for improving Maritime connectivity shows
future possibilities. Given shared
values and common Destiny of India and Asean countries connectivity cranes
geographical and physical realms and opens new avenues for revitalizing, civilization
and people to- people contacts. Looking ahead besides Commerce and connectivity
culture and creativity as seen in holding of India Asean youth Summit artist
camp and music festival will hold the key to unlocking the collective dreams of
India and Asean countries.
Let a million ideas Bloom
to connect India and Asean closer to realize and Asian Century.
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