Context:

India’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a key aspect of its Act East Policy, a strategic initiative designed to enhance diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR, starting October 10, marks a pivotal moment in India’s foreign policy engagement with Southeast Asia. As part of this visit, PM Modi  participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the East Asia Summit (EAS), focusing on deepening India’s ties with ASEAN members. This visit holds particular significance in light of the increasing geopolitical tensions in the region, notably China’s rising influence.

Main highlights of the Visit:

1.    Celebrating the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism (2025): PM Modi announced an allocation of USD 5 million to promote tourism between India and ASEAN countries, to foster greater people-to-people connections, encouraging travel and cultural exchange to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.

2.    Celebrating the Decade of the Act East Policy: To commemorate ten years of the Act East Policy, several people-centric initiatives were announced, including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks, Delhi Dialogue.

3.    Organizing the ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave: This event will take place under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund, aimed at empowering women in science and technology and fostering collaboration among women scientists from ASEAN countries and India.

4.    Doubling Scholarships at Nalanda University which has historical significance and aims to promote higher education and research. New Scholarships for Agricultural Universities, focusing on enhancing agricultural education and cooperation in the agricultural sector.

5.    Review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement: PM Modi emphasized the importance of reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025 to strengthen trade ties and maximize economic potential for both regions.

6.    Enhancing Disaster Resilience: The Indian government has committed USD 5 million to enhance disaster resilience in the region, focusing on preparedness and response mechanisms for natural disasters.

7.    Initiating a Health Ministers' Track: A new initiative aimed at building health resilience, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future health challenges, by fostering collaboration among health ministers of ASEAN and India.

8.    Regular Mechanism for ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue: This initiative aims to strengthen digital and cyber resilience through regular discussions on cybersecurity challenges and cooperation.

9.    Workshop on Green Hydrogen, aiming to promote clean energy solutions and cooperation in the renewable energy sector.

10. 'Plant a Tree for Mother' Campaign: An invitation has been extended to ASEAN leaders to participate in this campaign, which emphasizes environmental sustainability and climate resilience through afforestation initiatives.

What is ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, by five founding members—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—has evolved into one of the most successful intergovernmental organizations globally. Today, ASEAN includes ten member countries, with Brunei, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Cambodia joining over the decades.

Key aspects of ASEAN:

ASEAN operates with a rotating chairmanship and hosts biannual summits. Its motto, “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” reflects its commitment to unity and collaboration. ASEAN focuses on three main pillars:

1.    Political-Security Community (APSC)

2.    Economic Community (AEC)

3.    Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)

With these pillars, ASEAN has become one of the most successful intergovernmental organizations in the developing world, especially in terms of fostering peace and economic cooperation among its members.

India’s Act East Policy: Strategic Importance of ASEAN

India’s Act East Policy, which succeeded the Look East Policy of the early 1990s, is a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering India's relationships with Southeast Asian countries. Initially focused on economic cooperation, the policy has now evolved to include strategic, political, and cultural dimensions. ASEAN is central to this policy, acting as a bridge between India and the Asia-Pacific region.

Why is ASEAN Important to India?

• ASEAN’s strategic importance lies in its role as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific region serving as the gateway for India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy. India’s northeastern states share geographic proximity with ASEAN, making connectivity projects, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, essential to regional development.
•  ASEAN is India’s fourth-largest trading partner, and the two have an India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in place since 2010. Despite opting out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020 due to concerns over domestic industries, India continues to engage ASEAN in strengthening trade and investment ties.
•  For India, ASEAN is vital in maintaining a balance of power, especially in light of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. ASEAN’s centrality to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy highlights its role in ensuring freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for international laws such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
•  India’s growing cooperation with ASEAN in areas such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security further underscores the strategic importance of this relationship. India’s emphasis on ASEAN centrality ensures that ASEAN remains a critical partner in regional forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
•  ASEAN’s Significance Amidst China’s Rise: ASEAN’s strategic importance to India has grown in light of China’s rising influence in the region. China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, alongside its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has led ASEAN nations to seek balance in their external relations.
•  India positions itself as a key partner in offering an alternative to Chinese dominance, particularly through initiatives that promote infrastructure development without the risks associated with debt dependency.

The East Asia Summit (EAS):

• The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a premier forum for dialogue on critical regional and global issues, established in 2005. Comprising the 10 ASEAN members along with dialogue partners, including India, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Russia, the EAS plays a vital role in promoting peace, stability, and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
•  PM Modi’s participation in the 19th East Asia Summit underscores India’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, a region of strategic importance due to its dynamic economic potential and security concerns, particularly over the South China Sea disputes. India has consistently advocated for a rules-based order and adherence to international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reinforcing freedom of navigation and peaceful conflict resolution.

Conclusion:

PM Modi’s visit to Lao PDR for the ASEAN and East Asia Summits marks a significant chapter in India’s diplomatic efforts to enhance its ties with Southeast Asia. ASEAN’s role as a key player in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy will continue to grow as India seeks to balance China’s rising influence through economic, cultural, and strategic partnerships.

India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN, reinforced through its participation in regional forums like the East Asia Summit, underscores the importance of Southeast Asia in India’s foreign policy.

Source: Indian Express