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Mint Explainer: India’s ties with ASEAN countries
Summary
- In 2022-23, trade between India and ASEAN countries stood at over $131 billion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly scheduled to travel to Indonesia for the East Asia Summit and the India-ASEAN Summit next month. Mint looks at India’s ties with ASEAN countries.
- According to media reports, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, for the East Asia Summit and the India-ASEAN Summit in early September.
- Modi was unable to visit Cambodia for these meetings in 2022, and India was represented by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar.
- These summits are key for several reasons. While the East Asia Summit brings together the leaders of 18 Indo-Pacific countries to talk about security concerns, the India-ASEAN Summit allows Indian leaders to drive their relationship with a vital economic bloc.
- ASEAN countries form a major trading bloc for India. In 2022-23, trade between the two parties stood at over $131 billion. This represented a significant jump from $71.5 billion in 2016-17. ASEAN nations have pushed for more economic engagement with India through the RCEP trade agreement. India has also looked to expand economic ties by renegotiating existing trade agreements with ASEAN.
- Besides trade, India has also taken an increased interest in the security dynamics of the region, where China’s military presence has led to increased insecurity. From prominent defence sales to the Philippines to defence lines of credit to Vietnam, India has looked to boost the capabilities of some regional militaries.
- During the last India-ASEAN Summit, Vice-President Dhankar “highlighted India’s activities to take forward EAS agenda in maritime security, HARD, and sustainable development of marine resources. [He] underlined the growing food and energy security that extends beyond EAS and Indo-Pacific, and called for EAS members’ full contribution to the International year of Millets in 2023."
- ASEAN nations are a key focus area of India’s “Act East" policy, which calls for increased political, diplomatic and security engagement with Indo-Pacific countries.
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