17th-asean-india-summit

Context: India co-chaired the India-ASEAN summit focusing on India's "Act East Policy".

Background: In the recently held 17^th ASEAN -India summit on virtual platform, alternate supply chains, South China Sea were the key focuses, both reaffirming the importance of "upholding 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS". The development comes even as Chinese aggressiveness not only with India but with members of 10-member strong ASEAN grouping.

The discussions also covered regional and international issues of common interest and concern including South China Sea and Terrorism. Both sides noted the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region including through upholding adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS."

The leaders affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety and security in the South China Sea in particular freedom of navigation and overflight.

In Detail

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, and India and several other countries including the US, China, Japan and Australia are its dialogue partners.

The summit is taking place amid China’s aggressive behaviour in the disputed South China Sea as well as in eastern Ladakh. A number of ASEAN countries have territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. Along with Prime Minister of India, the 17^th India-ASEAN summit will also be co-chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister.

The leaders have discussed ways to further strengthen ASEAN-India engagement and in this context have noted the adoption of ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2021-2025). COVID-19, post-pandemic economic recovery and important regional and international developments have also be discussed at the summit.

The 10 member countries of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Summit of Trust and Cooperation

India's Prime Minister placed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the centre of India’s Act East policy and said that a “cohesive and responsive ASEAN” is essential for “security and growth for all in the region”.

The Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN is based on our shared historical, geographical and cultural heritage. Since the beginning, the ASEAN Group has been at the centre of our Act East policy, stated by India in its opening remarks at the virtual summit between India and the 10-nation ASEAN as its co-chair.

There are many similarities between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific. We believe that a cohesive and responsive ASEAN is essential for security and growth for all in the region. India cementing the connect between India and ASEAN on all fronts, added that economic, social, digital, financial, maritime, is an important priority area to work in tandom.

Areas of Cooperation

Discussions were held in depth on current global and regional issues, including, security, COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery and trade.

Summit focuses on measures to recover from the economic turmoil triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and ways to further broad-base strategic ties.

India's Prime Minister underscored the importance of strengthening convergence between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. He invited ASEAN countries to take the lead on various pillars of our Oceans Initiative.

On Covid-19, India stressed on leveraging strong ASEAN-India ties in the fight against the pandemic. India welcomed ASEAN’s initiatives to fight the pandemic and announced a contribution of $1 million to Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund. It further added that the importance of cooperation and regular exchanges in the field of traditional medicines as a source of healthy and holistic living.

India stressed upon trade and investment, the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) is pending for long. India called for an early review of the agreement. India underlined the importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains for post-Covid economic recovery.

The ASEAN leaders spoke of India as a long-term friend and dynamic partner, and acknowledged India’s contribution in the region towards promoting peace and stability. India’s capacity-building initiatives, including the PhD Fellowship Programme at IITs and setting up of Centres for Excellence in Software Development and Training in CLMV countries, were also appreciated.

The ASEAN leaders also highlited the convergence between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. They welcomed adoption of the new ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2021-2025.

Conclusion

In the current epoch of international relations, India’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) forms an integral part of India’s vision of an open, inclusive, and rules-based security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region where disputes are resolved through dialogue and not the unilateral use of force.

This commitment to the relationship was on display at the recently-held India-ASEAN summit, the Track 1.5 discussion aimed at enhancing politico-economic, security, and socio-cultural ties between India and ASEAN. India’s push for closer ties with ASEAN goes back to the early 1990s but now more than ever is the time to consolidate this relationship with the shadow of an aggressive China looming over the region. India and ASEAN must address the economic challenges their partnership has faced, not least the delay in connectivity projects and an imbalance in trade tilted in ASEAN’s favor, as well as increase engagement to balance against a rising China.

Connecting the Article

Question for Prelims : Which among the following is not the member of ASEAN Group ?

(a) Cambodia
(b) Indonesia
(c) Laos
(d) Japan

Question for Mains : Discuss the importance of ASEAN group for India in the light of current geo-political events.