19th East Asia Summit

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• The Prime Minister of India recently addressed the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) in  Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Key Highlights 

• The PM emphasized that a free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rule-based Indo-Pacific is important for the peace and progress of the entire region.
• India stressed that maritime activities should be conducted under the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) to ensure freedom of navigation and air space.
  • Also a strong and effective Code of Conduct should be created.

East Asia Summit (EAS)

• Origin: The origins of EAS dates back to the 1990 proposal for an East Asian Economic Grouping (EAEG).
  • The project was later revived through the ASEAN Plus Three or APT (China, Japan, and South Korea) Summit of Heads of State and Government that first met in Kuala Lumpur in December 1997.
  • It eventually found expression through the creation of the EAS in 2005, with 16 members. The United States and Russia joined in 2011.
• Members: There are 18 members;
  • The 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • 8 non-ASEAN members: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. 
• Lead & the Chair position: ASEAN leads the forum, and the chair position rotates between ASEAN Member States annually. 

Significance of East Asian region

• Economic Growth: East Asia is home to some of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, including China, Japan, and South Korea.
  •  The region is known as the factory of the world.
• Diplomatic Hotspot: As a zone of interaction for major global powers like the US, China, and Russia, the region is critical for international diplomacy and geopolitical negotiations, influencing global peace and stability.
• Great Power Rivalries: East Asia is a focal point for great power competition, particularly between the United States and China. The region plays a key role in shaping the dynamics of global power and influence.
• Strategic Waterways: The region includes vital shipping lanes such as the South China Sea and the East China Sea, where disputes over territorial claims add to its geopolitical importance.

Challenges

• Territorial Disputes: Ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea involve multiple countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan, leading to increased military tensions and instability.
• Regional Alliances: The emergence of military alliances and partnerships in the region, such as the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) involving the US, Japan, Australia, and India, complicates India’s relations with its neighbors and other East Asian countries.
• Regional Trade Agreements: India’s decision to opt out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) limits its access to East Asian markets.

Way Ahead

• India’s engagement with the East Asian region is characterized by a complex interplay of opportunities and challenges in the realm of international relations. 
• Navigating geopolitical rivalries, economic competition, and diverse political landscapes requires a multifaceted approach, balancing national interests with the necessity of fostering cooperative and constructive relationships in this strategically vital region. 

Source: TH