Editorial 1: After ASEAN summit: Group's importance for India, amid US-China tussle
Context:
The 47th ASEAN summit concluded in Kuala Lumpur amid rising global uncertainties and tariffs imposed by US on India. US also signed a trade deal with China. This marks the rise of multilateralism and multi-polar word order.
Background of ASEAN:
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established in 1967, has evolved from a modest regional grouping to one of the most influential multilateral organizations in Asia.
- Comprising ten member states, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, ASEAN represents a collective population of over 650 million and a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
- For India, ASEAN holds immense strategic, economic, and diplomatic importance, particularly in the context of the intensifying US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
ASEAN role in modern world:
- ASEAN lies at the geographic and strategic crossroads of the Indo-Pacific - a region stretching from the eastern coast of Africa to the western shores of the United States.
- The grouping has sought to maintain centrality and neutrality amid global power rivalries through its “ASEAN Way” i.e. emphasizing consensus, dialogue, and non-interference.
- Frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) have made the grouping a cornerstone of regional diplomacy and security dialogue.
- Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, ASEAN strives to balance China’s assertiveness with its own collective interests and partnerships with external powers, including India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
Evolution of India-ASEAN relation:
- India’s engagement with ASEAN formally began with the “Look East Policy” in the early 1990s, which later evolved into the “Act East Policy” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The ASEAN-India partnership is built upon three main pillars - political-security cooperation, economic engagement, and socio-cultural exchange.
- Economically, ASEAN is India’s fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for more than $130 billion in trade (2023–24).
- India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in goods with ASEAN in 2009 and in services and investment in 2014.
- Connectivity initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project are central to enhancing physical and economic integration between India and Southeast Asia.
- Culturally, India and ASEAN share centuries-old civilizational links through Buddhism, maritime trade, and linguistic influences factors that continue to strengthen people-to-people connectivity.
ASEAN amid the US-China Rivalry:
- The US-China contest for dominance in the Indo-Pacific has intensified over issues such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, technology, and trade.
- ASEAN finds itself in a delicate position economically dependent on China but strategically aligned with US security guarantees and regional allies.
- China is ASEAN’s largest trading partner, while the US remains a key source of security cooperation and investment.
- This dual dependence often results in ASEAN’s cautious, non-aligned stance on contentious global issues.
Strategic Importance for India:
- Maritime Security and Connectivity: ASEAN occupies a central position in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain. Securing sea lanes of communication through the Malacca Strait a critical chokepoint for India’s energy imports is vital. India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and participation in the Quad complement ASEAN-led frameworks without undermining ASEAN centrality.
- Economic and Trade Opportunities: As global supply chains diversify post-pandemic, ASEAN offers India avenues to expand trade, attract investment, and integrate into regional production networks. Enhanced cooperation in digital economy, clean energy, and startups aligns with India’s growth priorities.
- Balancing China’s Influence: ASEAN engagement enables India to project its strategic presence in the region and counterbalance China’s growing clout. The Delhi Dialogue and ASEAN-India Summit platforms allow India to reinforce shared values of multilateralism and sovereignty.
Challenges for ASEAN:
- India’s trade deficit with ASEAN remains high, and connectivity projects have faced significant delays due to political instability in Myanmar and logistical hurdles.
- Additionally, ASEAN’s internal divisions particularly over the South China Sea and the Myanmar crisis sometimes limit its collective strategic coherence.
- To strengthen ties, India must:
- Expedite connectivity projects and explore digital linkages.
- Deepen cooperation in defense and maritime security.
- Engage actively in ASEAN-led institutions to reinforce trust and alignment.
- Promote sustainable and green partnerships under the Act East framework.
Way Forward:
ASEAN remains a cornerstone of India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific strategies. As great-power competition intensifies, India’s partnership with ASEAN provides a platform for promoting a multipolar, rules-based regional order. Balancing economic pragmatism with strategic foresight, New Delhi’s engagement with ASEAN will continue to shape the future of the Indo-Pacific ensuring that Southeast Asia remains a zone of peace, stability, and prosperity.