ASEAN

ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations which is a political and economical union of 10 states in Southeast Asia. Together, its member states represent a population of more than 600 million people and land area of over 4.5 million km².

ASEAN

About ASEAN

• Stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• Major partner of the UN, SCO, PA, GCC, MERCOSUR, CELAC, and ECO.
• Formed on 8 August 1967.
  • The predecessor of ASEAN was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed on 31 July 1961 and consisting of Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaya.
• Formed when the foreign ministers of five countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – signed the ASEAN Declaration.
  • According to the Declaration, ASEAN aims to accelerate economic, social, and cultural development in the region, as well as promoting regional peace, to collaborate on matters of shared interest, and to promote Southeast Asian studies and maintain close cooperation with existing international organisations.
• ASEAN’s first summit meeting, held in Bali, Indonesia, in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and a Declaration of Concord.
• On 15 December 1995, the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty was signed to turn Southeast Asia into a nuclear-weapon-free zone.

Members of ASEAN

State	Accession
Brunei	7 January 1984
Cambodia	30 April 1999
Indonesia	8 August 1967
Laos	23 July 1997
Malaysia	8 August 1967
Myanmar	23 July 1997
Philippines	8 August 1967
Singapore	8 August 1967
Thailand	8 August 1967
Vietnam	28 July 1995

There are currently two states seeking accession to ASEAN –

• Accession of East Timor to ASEAN (since 2002, observer status since 2022)
• Accession of Papua New Guinea to ASEAN (observer status since 1976)

Functions of ASEAN

1. It hosts diplomatic missions throughout the world, maintaining a global network of relationships that is widely regarded as the central forum for cooperation in the region.
2. Political and Security Cooperation
   • Promoting Peace and Stability: ASEAN acts as a platform to promote peace, security, and stability in Southeast Asia. It encourages dialogue, peaceful resolution of disputes, and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.
   • Fostering Regional Security: Through mechanisms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ASEAN facilitates security dialogues and cooperation on defense-related issues. It promotes confidence-building measures and cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and disaster response.
   • Conflict Resolution: ASEAN encourages diplomatic and peaceful approaches to resolve conflicts among member states and with external parties, helping to reduce tensions and prevent the escalation of disputes (e.g., disputes in the South China Sea).
   • ASEAN as a Diplomatic Platform: ASEAN provides a platform for dialogue between Southeast Asian nations and other global powers. It engages with external partners through mechanisms like the ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, and South Korea), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and other dialogue partnerships with the EU, U.S., and India.
   • Regional Peacebuilding: Through its neutral stance, ASEAN engages in peacebuilding and conflict mediation beyond its borders, playing a key role in regional diplomacy, including through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
3. Economic Cooperation
   • Promoting Economic Growth: ASEAN works to accelerate regional economic growth through initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The AEC aims to create a single market and production base, promoting the free flow of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and capital.
   • Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): ASEAN has negotiated several free trade agreements, both among its member states and with external partners, such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and agreements with countries like China, Japan, and India. These FTAs reduce tariffs and trade barriers, facilitating regional and global trade.
   • Promoting Investment: ASEAN promotes foreign investment and regional integration by creating a conducive business environment, harmonizing standards, and simplifying regulatory frameworks.
   • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): ASEAN played a key role in establishing RCEP, a major free trade agreement with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, creating one of the world’s largest economic blocs.
4. Socio-Cultural Development
   • Fostering a Shared ASEAN Identity: ASEAN promotes cultural exchange and people-to-people ties to strengthen a shared regional identity. Initiatives in education, art, sports, and youth exchange programs foster deeper cultural understanding and cooperation among member states.
   • Human Rights and Social Welfare: ASEAN has frameworks like the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and initiatives to promote the well-being of people in the region, including addressing gender equality, human trafficking, and child protection.
   • Disaster Management: ASEAN works to improve disaster preparedness, response, and resilience through mechanisms such as the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre). The center facilitates coordinated disaster relief efforts across the region.
5. Environmental Protection and Sustainability
   • Climate Change and Environmental Conservation: ASEAN cooperates to address environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and air pollution. It promotes regional initiatives for sustainable development, forest management, and the preservation of biodiversity.
   • Energy Cooperation: ASEAN is focused on energy security and promoting sustainable energy use, with initiatives to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency across member states.
6. Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Development
   • Narrowing Development Gaps: ASEAN seeks to reduce the development gaps among its member states, particularly between the more developed economies like Singapore and the less developed ones like Laos and Myanmar. The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) focuses on capacity-building and assistance to newer and less developed member states.
   • Education and Human Resources Development: ASEAN promotes educational cooperation through student exchange programs, scholarships, and collaboration in higher education to improve skills and education standards across the region.
7. Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Development
   • Narrowing Development Gaps: ASEAN seeks to reduce the development gaps among its member states, particularly between the more developed economies like Singapore and the less developed ones like Laos and Myanmar. The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) focuses on capacity-building and assistance to newer and less developed member states.
   • Education and Human Resources Development: ASEAN promotes educational cooperation through student exchange programs, scholarships, and collaboration in higher education to improve skills and education standards across the region.
8. Promoting Regional and Global Cooperation
   • ASEAN Centrality: ASEAN maintains a central role in regional cooperation, often acting as a convening power for broader multilateral engagements. It serves as the hub for dialogue and cooperation between Southeast Asia and external powers, promoting balanced regional governance.
   • Southeast Asia’s Role in Global Affairs: ASEAN represents its members in international organizations and global forums, addressing issues like trade, security, climate change, and sustainable development. ASEAN’s partnerships with organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) enable its member states to play a collective role in global governance.

Objectives of ASEAN

• Promote Peace and Security: One of ASEAN’s primary objectives is to ensure regional stability and to manage disputes through peaceful means. ASEAN adheres to the principle of non-interference in each member state’s internal affairs, while emphasizing the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
• Economic Cooperation: ASEAN works toward creating an integrated and competitive economic community. This has led to initiatives like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which reduces tariffs among member states to promote trade. More recently, ASEAN has focused on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which aims to create a single market and production base with the free movement of goods, services, skilled labor, and investments.
• Socio-Cultural Cooperation: ASEAN also emphasizes cooperation in education, environmental protection, disaster management, and cultural exchange. The organization promotes a shared Southeast Asian identity, while also supporting the diversity of cultures across the region.
• To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
• To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Pillars of ASEAN

• ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC): This pillar works to ensure peace, stability, and resilience in the region. It aims to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and strengthen the rule of law in international relations. ASEAN-led platforms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS), engage dialogue partners on security matters.
• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): This pillar focuses on building a competitive region with equitable economic development and reducing the development gap among member states. It also supports the movement of goods, services, labor, and capital across borders, fostering regional growth and integration.
• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC): The ASCC pillar aims to create a people-centered and socially responsible ASEAN, promoting sustainable development, human rights, and equality. This includes initiatives in education, health, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

Importance of ASEAN to India

India’s relationship with ASEAN is strategic and multifaceted, touching upon key areas such as trade, security, and cultural ties. ASEAN is critically important to India for several reasons:

1. Economic and Trade Cooperation
   • ASEAN is one of India’s largest trading partners, and both sides have significantly deepened their economic relationship over the last few decades.
     • ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA): Signed in 2010, this agreement liberalized trade in goods between India and ASEAN member states by reducing tariffs on various products. The agreement covers a wide range of goods and has fostered greater integration between the Indian and ASEAN economies.
     • Trade Figures: In 2022, ASEAN accounted for around 10% of India’s overall trade, making it one of India’s top trading partners. India’s trade with ASEAN crossed $100 billion annually, with significant exports in areas like pharmaceuticals, machinery, automobiles, and electronics.
     • Investments: ASEAN is also a key source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India, especially from countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Similarly, Indian companies have invested heavily in ASEAN countries, particularly in sectors like information technology, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure.
2. Strategic and Security Importance
   • ASEAN is pivotal to India’s security and foreign policy, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
     • Act East Policy: India’s “Look East” Policy (launched in the early 1990s) evolved into the “Act East” Policy in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This policy emphasizes deeper engagement with ASEAN and the broader Asia-Pacific region in areas of security, connectivity, and diplomacy. ASEAN is seen as the cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy.
     • Indo-Pacific Vision: ASEAN plays a crucial role in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to ensure free and open sea lanes, secure trade routes, and a balanced regional order. India shares common concerns with ASEAN members over issues like the South China Sea and maritime security. This alignment has led to stronger maritime cooperation, including joint naval exercises and efforts to combat piracy and ensure freedom of navigation in the region.
     • Regional Stability: Given the proximity of ASEAN countries to India’s eastern shores, stability in Southeast Asia is vital to India’s own security. India has an active role in ASEAN-led security frameworks like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS) to discuss regional security concerns, including terrorism, cyber threats, and transnational crime.
3. Cultural and People-to-People Connectivity
   • India and ASEAN share centuries-old historical and cultural ties, which continue to influence their modern relationship.
     • Buddhism and Hinduism: Many ASEAN countries, such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, have strong cultural ties with India through Buddhism and Hinduism. These shared cultural roots are important for strengthening diplomatic relations and people-to-people contact.
     • Tourism: Southeast Asia is a popular destination for Indian tourists, while India also attracts tourists from ASEAN countries. India’s cultural diplomacy with ASEAN is promoted through programs like the ASEAN-India Cultural Exchange Year, celebrating these historical ties.
     • Indian Diaspora: India has a significant diaspora in ASEAN nations, especially in countries like Malaysia and Singapore. These communities act as bridges of economic, cultural, and diplomatic engagement.
4. Connectivity Initiatives
   • ASEAN is crucial to India’s ambitions to enhance physical and digital connectivity across the region.
     • India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway: This project aims to connect India’s northeastern states with Thailand via Myanmar, fostering closer trade and cultural ties with Southeast Asia. Upon completion, the highway will provide greater connectivity for both goods and people between India and ASEAN.
     • Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC): Launched in 2000, this initiative enhances connectivity between India and the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), focusing on trade, culture, and tourism.
     • Digital Connectivity: India has also collaborated with ASEAN to enhance digital connectivity through initiatives like the ASEAN-India ICT Program, which supports IT infrastructure, capacity building, and skill development in ASEAN countries.
5. Defense and Security Cooperation
   • India’s engagement with ASEAN in defense and security has grown significantly, particularly through regional mechanisms and joint exercises.
     • Joint Military Exercises: India conducts joint naval and military exercises with ASEAN countries to strengthen maritime security and disaster relief efforts. The SIMBEX naval exercise with Singapore and the CORPAT coordinated patrols with Indonesia and Thailand are examples of India’s increasing defense cooperation with ASEAN nations.
     • Counterterrorism: Both India and ASEAN face threats from terrorism and extremism. India works with ASEAN in areas like intelligence sharing, capacity building, and counterterrorism efforts to tackle these shared security concerns.
     • ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus): India participates in this forum to engage with ASEAN and other Asia-Pacific nations on security-related issues, particularly non-traditional threats like cybersecurity, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.
6. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
   • Though India chose to opt out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019, which includes ASEAN and other key regional economies (China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand), the trade bloc remains significant to India’s economic strategies. While RCEP presented concerns about trade imbalances, India is still keen on deepening economic cooperation with ASEAN through bilateral trade agreements and through the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
7. Balancing China’s Influence
   • India’s engagement with ASEAN also serves as a strategic counterbalance to China’s growing influence in Southeast Asia. While China remains a dominant trade and investment partner for many ASEAN countries, India’s partnerships with these nations help ensure a multipolar balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. ASEAN, with its policy of non-alignment, offers a neutral platform for India to build influence without directly antagonizing China.
   • ASEAN is central to India’s strategic, economic, and cultural ambitions in the region. Through the Act East Policy and various bilateral and multilateral engagements, ASEAN has become a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. Both sides have mutual interests in regional stability, economic growth, and cultural exchange, ensuring that ASEAN will continue to play a key role in India’s future development and its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.