INDIA - ASEAN RELATIONS CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an international organisation was established by the governments of five countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 1967 to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development and to promote peace and security in Southeast Asia. Subsequently Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam joined to make it a Ten Member organisation. This organisation facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational and socio-cultural integration among its members and other nations in Asia. Its secretariat is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”. ASEAN is 3rd largest market in the world - larger than EU and North American markets and has Free-trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. Today’s Southeast Asia presents an example of varied cultures living together & thriving, despite region experiencing decades of conflicts.

The group acted as a platform for the member nations to resolve disputes from economic aspects to strategic and security aspects. ASEAN has maintained stable relations with the great powers including China, India, Japan, Russia and the US. T he contribution towards regional peace, stability and prosperity goes to the wider Asia-Pacific region. However weak leadership, geopolitical conflicts and rivalries in the region have been some of the obstacles. Failure to deal with Intra-ASEAN security issues like Rohingya crisis, migration, human trafficking, pandemics, climate change, South China Sea and piracy have definitely weakened this organisation. In the recently held ASEAN Summit member countries agreed in principle to admit East Timor as the 11th member and the US elevated its relationship with the ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The escalating tensions between the US and China and the lack of consensus on other critical geopolitical issues including Ukraine war and attitude of the junta in Myanmar have rendered ASEAN a bit ineffective.

India - ASEAN Relations and Issues of Interest: India-ASEAN relations can be traced to ancient times with deep cultural relations. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam spread from India to the region and the imprint of this shared cultural heritage is also seen in art forms and architecture. In post Cold War era, India - ASEAN relations have evolved from just economic ties to strategic and security concerns owing to common threats and aspirations. India’s ‘Look East Policy’ in 1990s marked the beginning of strong India-ASEAN relations which were further cemented by ‘Act East Policy’ in 2014. India became a member of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a key forum for security dialogue in Asia and a Summit-level Partner in 2002. In 2015, India has also set up a separate Mission to ASEAN with a dedicated Ambassador to strengthen engagement with ASEAN. India and ASEAN region is celebrating 30th Anniversary of their ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in 2022. The year is embarked as ‘ASEANIndia Friendship Year’. The year also witnessed few key bilateral visits and meetings. As part of series of such meetings the latest one was ASEAN Defence Ministers Meet (ADMM Plus) of ten ASEAN members and Eight Dialogue partner countries, India, USA, Russia, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 23 Nov 2022. The Indian RM asserted need to counter transnational and cross border terrorism in the region and have raised concerns on ongoing ASEAN-China negotiations on the code of conduct in South China Sea and asserted the need to abide by international law and should not be unbalancing the region peace and security.

The rise of China accompanied by its growing assertiveness in South China Sea and East China Sea has been a cause of concern for many ASEAN countries. These countries view India as a possible partner in their effort to maintain balance of power and peace in the region.

India looks at ASEAN not simply as an institution of economic development but also as an integral part of India’s vision of stable, secure and prosperous Asia. Establishing trade and connectivity links with South East Asian countries via North East has been one of the focuses, some initiatives in this regard are: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multimodal Transport and Mekong Ganga Corridor.

WAY FORWARD
Delay in completing infrastructure projects - IndiaMyanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, the Kaladan Multimodal Transit and Transport Project, and the MorehMandalay Bus Services-due to various political and financial constraints, has impeded the progress of economic cooperation and this warrants immediate action.

There is a need to promote Mekong - India corridor and enhance physical and digital connectivity. Build stronger strategic, security and economic ties with greater interdependence with ASEAN countries to counter Chinese clout in the region. Need for robust maritime connectivity between India and ASEAN to realize full potentiality of trade and business activities and growth and development of strategically crucial Indo Pacific region. The two sides should also explore the unexplored domains of energy security.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

COL RAJESH BHUKAR The author is a Post Graduate in International Studies, Alumni of Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and College of Combat, Mhow - [email protected]