India
and ASEAN
The leaders of the 10 countries of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered in New Delhi. India’s
ties with ASEAN got a dose of both symbolism and substance. There is urgent need for Southeast Asia and India to boost cooperation. The region needs to look deeper within to
grow markets and increase trade. There is also need to focus on continuing
tensions between the “great powers” between the U.S. and Russia, or the U.S.
and China. China’s moves in particular can change equations in the region.
India and ASEAN have a unique opportunity to
reap the potential of their geographic proximity. ASEAN
and India called for measures to deepen security, economic and socio-cultural
cooperation, and connectivity. With trade with ASEAN at $76 billion, India
ranks lower than not just the U.S. and China, but also South Korea, Japan and
Australia.
India is concerned about unfettered access to
Chinese goods and ASEAN resistance to movement of Indian services and labour.
India and the ASEAN countries have much to gain
from each other. The Asean group of countries has a lot more of common
interests beyond one common enemy.
Rise of ASEAN is undoubtedly a sunrise for
South East Asia. India can play a pivotal role in the new mix of metamorphosis. But we
should not miss in the euphoria our prime interests that comprise chiefly
territorial sovereignty.
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