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55th anniversary of ASEAN

Posted on August 8, 2022 by admin1  1049

In News

  • August 2022 marks an important occasion of the 55th anniversary of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

ASEAN-India Friendship Year

  • The year 2022 also marks the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations & the 10th anniversary of India’s Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. 
    • So, the year has been designated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year.
  • The Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) was hosted by India in New Delhi recently.
  • Significance:
    • This is important as it will strengthen the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership.
      • Plan of Action 2021-2025:
      • The ongoing India-ASEAN collaboration is guided by the Plan of Action 2021-2025 which was adopted in 2020.
      • The plan of Action envisages greater cooperation in areas ranging from trade to maritime security and counter-terrorism.

ASEAN – India Relations:

  • Multi-level interaction:
    • Engagement with ASEAN is a multi-level interaction process. 
      • At the apex is the annual summit “ASEAN-India Summit” 
      • Summits are supported by meetings at the Foreign Minister level “ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting”-AIFMM.
    • India shares a deep connection with ASEAN and has continued its active engagement in many areas contributing to regional peace and stability, particularly through ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as:
      • East Asia Summit.
      • ASEAN Regional Forum.
      • ADMM-Plus. 
        • The ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and eight dialogue partner countries – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.
  • Delhi Dialogue:
    • The ‘Delhi Dialogue’ (DD) mechanism hosted by India annually, 
    • It is traditionally inaugurated jointly by India and ASEAN at the Foreign Minister’s level.
    • It serves as the main Track 1.5mechanism for our engagement. 
      • The DD-mechanism allows the participation of think tanks, academics and prominent civil society persons from both India and the ASEAN region. 
      • In addition to government representatives, with the objective of contributing ideas and perspectives to furthering the India-ASEAN strategic partnership.
    • The XIIth edition of the Delhi Dialogue was held in June, 2022.
  • Act East Policy & Indo-Pacific:
    • Indo-Pacific is an interconnected geography where ASEAN is at its core. 
    • Both ASEAN and India believe that openness, inclusiveness, rules-based order, freedom of navigation and peaceful settlement of disputes lie at the very core of the Indo-Pacific. 
  • Maritime Connectivity & Security:
    • India is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and ASEAN Countries have borders with Indo-Pacific waters. 
      • This opens up plenty of opportunities for India and other countries to work on maritime security, trade, and better supply chain networks.
    • India is consciously working with ASEAN towards a vision of an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific in tandem with initiatives such as 
      • The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), 
      • To ensure Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). 
    • India and some of the ASEAN countries are also members of the recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
  • Checks Chinese Dominance: 
    • Maritime cooperation in terms of connectivity, safety and security has gained high attention in the backdrop of China’s advancements in the South China Sea. 
    • India will gain better positioning against China’s increasing dominating presence in the area.

 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):

  • About:
    • It is a political and economic organization aimed primarily at promoting economic growth and regional stability among its members.
  • Foundation:
    • It was founded in 1967 by the five South-East Asian nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
    • Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999, making up to ten Member States of ASEAN.
    • Current members:
      • Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • ASEAN Plus Three:
    • It is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three East Asian nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.
  • ASEAN Plus Six:
    • The group includes ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand. 
  • ASEAN Summit:
    • It is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the Head of States or Government of ASEAN Member States.
    • Summit is held twice annually.
    • The First ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia in 1976.

Way Ahead

  • ASEAN-led mechanisms should be regarded as a viable regional architecture platform for the Indo-Pacific region. 
    • India is one of the founding members of the East Asia Summit.
  • ASEAN continues to maintain its central role in the evolving regional architecture in Southeast Asia and its surrounding regions.
    • India should increase its bilateral and multilateral engagements with ASEAN.
  • ASEAN countries need to work to restore the ‘ASEAN centrality and unity’ through the strategic environment of competing interests.
  • India should push for the reconciliation between Myanmar and the ASEAN.
  • The focus must be on emerging challenges to international peace and security.

Source: TH

 
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