Prime Minister Modi's Pivotal Role in Shaping ASEAN's Future
The ASEAN-India Summit serves as a crucial forum where leaders come together to address regional and global issues, spanning economic and security matters, within a multilateral framework. Furthermore, India's participation in the East Asia Summit reflects its proactive stance on tackling pressing regional challenges, including food and energy security, environmental sustainability, health crises, and the digital transformation of economies. These challenges transcend borders and demand collaborative solutions, making India's involvement in these discussions particularly noteworthy.
In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia for the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits on September 7, 2023, marked a pivotal moment in the evolving dynamics of India's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As a newspaper editor, it's essential to highlight the significance of this visit and its implications for regional geopolitics and global cooperation. The prime minister's presence at these summits underscored India's unwavering commitment to strengthening its engagement with ASEAN, a fundamental pillar of its 'Act East' policy. Over the years, India's relationship with ASEAN has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, a fact acknowledged by Mr. Modi himself. This transformation has breathed new life into the ties between India and the ten ASEAN member states, with a strong focus on trade, security, and cultural exchanges. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Jakarta was an integral component of India's broader diplomatic strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. It emphasized India's role as a responsible and influential player in the evolving geopolitical landscape. By participating in these summits, India not only reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability and economic integration but also displayed its aspirations to shape the future contours of its partnerships in this strategically vital part of the world.
India-ASEAN 30 Years of Partnership
In 2022, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marked the 30th anniversary of their relationship, culminating in a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This milestone followed a timeline that began with India's entry as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1992, steadily progressing to Strategic Partner status in 2012 and formalizing its Mission to ASEAN in 2015. Throughout the year, both sides celebrated this historic occasion with a series of cultural, artistic, and formal events. Over the three decades, cooperation between India and ASEAN expanded across various domains, including culture, social development, economics, and political-security. A detailed Plan of Action for 2021-2025 outlined the specifics of this collaboration.
In the socio-cultural sphere, the plan focused on educational and media exchanges, capacity building through Indian scholarships, women and youth participation in human development programs, and promoting the understanding of civilizational links between ASEAN and India. Disaster management and humanitarian assistance were also key areas of focus. Economically, the plan aimed to facilitate trade and investment, promote energy security through renewable and alternative energy sources, and enhance research and development (R&D) in science and technology. Digital connectivity and skills development were supported. In response to this plan, various initiatives were launched, including scholarships, media exchanges, cultural festivals, and the establishment of an expert panel to consider an ASEAN Cultural Heritage List. The ASEAN-India Network of Universities was introduced to foster academic linkages.
Economic Collaboration
In the ever-evolving economic landscape, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have shown commendable dedication to enhancing their trade relations and fostering economic cooperation. The core of their economic agenda lies in the simplification and streamlining of trade transactions, a goal encapsulated by the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. This mutual commitment reflects the shared ambition of facilitating trade and dismantling barriers that have the potential to hinder economic growth and regional integration. Such initiatives underscore the significant role trade plays in strengthening the economic ties between these two dynamic regions.
Furthermore, the acknowledgment of sustainable development, particularly in the energy sector, resonates as a common priority for India and ASEAN. This was exemplified by the convening of a High-Level Conference on renewable energy, a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. In light of the global imperative to address environmental concerns and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources, this emphasis on sustainable energy sources aligns with the broader international agenda for a greener and more sustainable future.
In their pursuit of economic dynamism, India and ASEAN have showcased their commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives like the ASEAN-India Start-up Festival. This event stands as a notable platform for showcasing innovative ideas and fostering entrepreneurial spirit. Its impact lies in the encouragement of startup growth, stimulating economic vibrancy, and harnessing the potential of emerging businesses to significantly contribute to economic development. This festival highlights the transformative power of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving economic progress.
Political-Security Cooperation
In the domain of political-security cooperation, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have consistently emphasized the critical importance of maritime security. This sustained focus underscores a shared commitment to upholding stability in the region's waters, a goal that holds paramount significance in safeguarding key trade routes and preserving territorial integrity.
Maritime security is a key component of regional stability, particularly given the prominent role that sea lanes of communication play in the global economy. The cooperation between India and ASEAN in this area not only ensures the unimpeded flow of goods and commerce but also addresses security concerns that may arise in the vast maritime expanse of the Indo-Pacific region. This commitment is a testament to the recognition of the region's strategic significance and the imperative to maintain a secure and stable maritime environment.
Furthermore, the steadfast cooperation between India and ASEAN in combating transnational crime and terrorism highlights the shared resolve to address security challenges that transcend national borders. This commitment to collective security measures and the exchange of critical information underscores the cooperative efforts aimed at countering transnational threats effectively. The region, like many others, faces the real and pressing challenges of terrorism and transnational crime, which can disrupt peace and stability. By prioritizing collaborative security initiatives, India and ASEAN not only bolster regional security but also contribute to global efforts in combating these threats. This reflects a proactive stance that seeks to build resilience and enhance the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister’s Visit to ASEAN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the 20th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, carries profound implications for India's foreign policy and its evolving regional priorities, indicative of a strategic realignment on the global stage.
At the forefront, Modi's presence at the ASEAN Summit serves as a resounding affirmation of India's unwavering commitment to its 'Act East' policy, signifying the paramount significance of the region in its foreign relations. This resonates as an acknowledgment of the pivotal role that the ASEAN bloc plays in India's Indo-Pacific strategy, recognizing the strategic and economic dynamism that this region holds. The Prime Minister's ardent advocacy for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" harmonizes with the worldwide movement for a rules-based order in the region, firmly opposing any unilateral actions that could disrupt the established equilibrium. In doing so, he articulates the shared concerns of the international community, encompassing critical issues such as freedom of navigation, territorial disputes, and geopolitical stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Modi's references to the shared history, geography, and values that link India and ASEAN serve to underscore the profound cultural and historical ties that transcend mere economic and political interests. These remarks underscore India's aspiration to contribute actively and harmoniously to the region, strengthening bonds built on more than just policy objectives. India's unwavering support for ASEAN centrality and its perspective on the Indo-Pacific reflects a sincere commitment to respecting ASEAN's pivotal role in regional affairs. This commitment accentuates the importance of multilateral cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges, emphasizing the value of collaborative approaches to complex issues.
The elevation of the India-ASEAN relationship to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' reflects the depth and maturity of the bilateral ties. This symbolic step highlights the willingness of both parties to collaborate extensively, extending their cooperation beyond economic matters to encompass security and other crucial aspects. Modi's assertion that the 21st century belongs to Asia underscores India's proactive role in shaping the region's destiny. His call for a rule-based post-COVID world order and commitment to working for the collective welfare of humanity signal India's aspirations as a responsible and influential global actor.
Pic Courtsey-IDSA GIS lab
(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent viewws of CESCUBE.)
