20th ASEAN-India Summit

In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a historic visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, at the invitation of President Joko Widodo, further solidifying India’s deepening relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The visit was marked by several key developments and announcements that underscored the importance of ASEAN in India’s foreign policy and the growing cooperation between the two entities.

About ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional grouping comprising ten member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Timor-Leste joined ASEAN as an Observer in 2022, with plans to become its 11th member. ASEAN, with its diverse member nations, represents a formidable regional bloc with a combined population of 662 million people and a GDP of $3.2 trillion as of 2022.

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The organization’s motto, “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” reflects its commitment to promoting economic and security cooperation among member states.

India’s Link with ASEAN: Act East Policy

ASEAN plays a pivotal role in India’s Act East policy, which focuses on strengthening India’s engagement with its extended neighborhood in the Asia-Pacific region. India is a dialogue partner of ASEAN and is part of the ASEAN Plus Six grouping, which also includes China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia.

Over the years, India and ASEAN have deepened their economic ties. In 2010, they signed the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in goods, followed by the FTA in services in 2014. ASEAN is now India’s fourth-largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to $110.4 billion in 2021-22.

The India-ASEAN relationship has seen significant milestones. In 2002, a summit-level partnership was established, marking the beginning of a closer strategic relationship. In 2012, India and ASEAN elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, and in 2022, the relationship reached new heights with the designation of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister’s Visit: Key Outcomes

During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Jakarta, several important outcomes were achieved at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit:

• Establishment of an Indian Embassy in Timor-Leste: One of the most significant announcements was the decision to establish an Indian Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste. This move underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its presence and engagement in the ASEAN region.
• Joint Statements on Maritime Cooperation and Food Security: Two joint statements were adopted, emphasizing the importance of maritime cooperation and food security. These statements acknowledged the interconnectedness and vulnerabilities of the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting the need for joint efforts to strengthen food security and nutrition.
• Millets in Food Security: The joint statement on food security recognized the nutritional richness, climate resilience, and ecological sustainability of millets, positioning them as a vital component of efforts to enhance agrifood system resilience and sustainability.
• Speech Highlights: Prime Minister Modi’s speech at the summit underscored ASEAN’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific and its pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy. He emphasized the alignment between India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The theme of the summit, “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” reflected the importance of ASEAN in driving regional economic growth.

Strengthening India-ASEAN Cooperation: A 12-Point Proposal

Prime Minister Modi presented a comprehensive 12-point proposal aimed at further enhancing India-ASEAN cooperation:

• Multi-Modal Connectivity and Economic Corridor: Establishing connectivity and economic corridors linking South-East Asia, India, West Asia, and Europe.
• Digital Transformation: Offering India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Stack to ASEAN partners.
• Digital Future Fund: Announcing the ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future to promote cooperation in digital transformation and financial connectivity.
• Support for Research: Renewing support for the Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) as a knowledge partner.
• Global South Issues: Advocating for collective action on issues faced by the Global South in multilateral fora.
• Traditional Medicine: Inviting ASEAN countries to join the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine established by WHO in India.
• Mission LiFE: Collaborative efforts on Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environmental Impact Reduction) to promote sustainability.
• Affordable Medicines: Sharing India’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras.
• Counterterrorism: Calling for collective efforts against terrorism, terror financing, and cyber-disinformation.
• Disaster Resilience: Inviting ASEAN countries to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and cooperate on disaster management.
• Maritime Safety and Security: Enhancing cooperation in maritime safety, security, and domain awareness.

UPSC Mains Questions

1. How does India’s Act East Policy contribute to its engagement with ASEAN and the broader Asia-Pacific region?
2. What are the key components of India’s 12-point proposal to enhance cooperation with ASEAN, and how can they benefit both parties?
3. What significance does the establishment of an Indian Embassy in Timor-Leste hold for India’s diplomatic efforts in Southeast Asia?
4. How do the joint statements on maritime cooperation and food security address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, and what role does India play in these initiatives?