The Prime Minister of India recently concluded a trip to Singapore, having attended several key summits. These included the ASEAN-India Summit, which took place alongside the 33rd ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit. Singapore, as the current chair of ASEAN, played host to these events. Notably, the country also participated in the 3rd “Quad” Meeting.
Highlights of the 33rd ASEAN-India Meeting
The ASEAN was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by its members – Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos. Alongside the 33rd ASEAN summit, an India-ASEAN summit was also organized.
India and ASEAN, as strategic partners, have significant trade and economic relations. Trade between India and ASEAN stood at around $81 billion in the fiscal year 2017-18, accounting for 10% of India’s total trade. In terms of exports, ASEAN countries constituted 11% of India’s total exports. The combined population of India and the ASEAN countries is approximately 1.9 billion, representing a quarter of the world’s population. These nations also have a combined GDP of $5 trillion. In 2017, India and ASEAN celebrated 25 years of their partnership through the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit held on January 25th. This relationship is guided by the three C’s: Culture, Commerce, and Connectivity.
India’s Participation in the 13th East Asia Summit
The East Asia Summit, established in 2005, is a forum of 18 Asia-Pacific countries aimed at fostering regional peace, security, and prosperity. India lent its support to the summit’s six priority areas: Environment and Energy, Education, Finance, Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases, Natural Disaster Management, and ASEAN Connectivity. The summit includes the 10 ASEAN nations and eight other countries – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US.
| Priority Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Environment and Energy | Promotes sustainable development and clean energy initiatives. |
| Education | Encourages shared learning and cooperation in educational practices. |
| Finance | Facilitates financial cooperation and stability in the region. |
| Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases | Addresses health challenges and prepares for potential epidemics. |
| Natural Disaster Management | Improves disaster response and mitigation strategies. |
| ASEAN Connectivity | Promotes connectivity amongst ASEAN nations. |
The 2nd RCEP Summit and 3rd Quad Meeting
At the 2nd RCEP Summit, the Prime Minister reviewed progress in RCEP negotiations. Alongside this, the third Quad Meeting, an alliance of democracies by India, Australia, the US, and Japan, was held. The meeting revolved around maintaining a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region and a rules-based global order. The focus was on connectivity, counter-terrorism, and cybersecurity. Discussion points also included Sri Lanka and Maldives, two nations in India’s immediate neighbourhood where China’s influence is growing significantly.
Significance of the Meetings
These meetings provide a platform for India to play a more significant role in regional economic integration and ensure an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They also allow India to address pressing issues in bilateral relations and security, and examine the overall economic landscape in its extended neighbourhood. Many ASEAN member nations perceive India as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence. As part of its ‘Act East Policy’, India recognizes the centrality of ASEAN in its extended neighbourhood. Opportunities for infrastructure connectivity projects, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, are also avenues for extending trade and transport linkages with all ASEAN states.
