Why in news?
The 21st ASEAN-India Summit, held on 10 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, marked a decade of India’s Act East Policy. PM Modi participated for the 11th time, joining ASEAN leaders to assess the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to shape future cooperation.
What’s in today’s article?
- ASEAN
- India’s relationship with ASEAN
- Key highlights of the 21st ASEAN - India Summit
- Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation: Key Highlights
ASEAN
- About
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional grouping that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members:
- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Timor-Leste joined the ASEAN in 2022 as an Observer. ASEAN has agreed in principle to accept Timor-Leste as its 11th member.
- ASEAN countries have a total population of 662 million people and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.6 trillion as of 2022.
- ASEAN has an anthem, a flag and biannual summits (twice a year) with a rotating chairmanship.
- Establishment:
- It was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
- Aim: The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
- Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia.
India’s relationship with ASEAN
- ASEAN and Act East Policy
- ASEAN is central to India’s Act East policy, which focuses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region.
- India among the dialogue partners
- India is part of the ASEAN Plus Six grouping, which includes China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia as well.
- Trade and Investment
- In 2010, India-ASEAN FTA in goods were signed. FTA in services were signed in 2014.
- India and ASEAN are important trading partners, with ASEAN accounting for 11% of India's global trade.
- India and ASEAN registered a bilateral trade of USD 131.5 billion in 2022-23.
- In 2023-24, bilateral trade between the two sides was $122.67 billion.
- India has a trade deficit with ASEAN, exporting $41.21 billion to ASEAN states in 2023-24, while importing $79.67 billion.
- Institutional cooperation
- India – ASEAN summit-level partnership in 2002;
- The year 2022 marked 30 years of ASEAN-India relations and it was designated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year.
- Ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2012 and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
- India and ASEAN have strengthened defence cooperation by the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
- The first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME)was held in 2023.
- Promoting Tourism and People-to-People Ties
- 2025 designated as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism to boost socio-economic development.
- Implementation of ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2023-2027.
Key highlights of the 21st ASEAN - India Summit
- PM Modi’s Address: Focus on ASEAN Unity and Economic Growth
- PM Modi reiterated India’s unwavering support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
- Calling the 21st century the "Asian century," he stressed the importance of India-ASEAN ties in shaping Asia's future.
- Key achievements in the last decade include:
- Doubling of India-ASEAN trade to over USD 130 billion
- Direct flight connectivity with seven ASEAN nations
- Fin-tech collaboration and restoration of shared cultural heritage
- Scholarships for ASEAN youth at Nalanda University
- 10-Point Plan for Enhanced Connectivity and Resilience
- In line with the Chair’s theme of "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience," PM Modi unveiled a 10-point plan, including:
- Celebrating 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism with USD 5 million for joint activities
- Marking a decade of the Act East Policy with people-centric activities like Youth Summits and Start-up Festivals
- Organizing the ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave
- Doubling scholarships at Nalanda University and adding new ones at Indian agricultural universities
- Reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) by 2025
- Allocating USD 5 million to enhance Disaster Resilience
- Initiating a Health Ministers’ track to build health resilience
- Establishing an ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue
- Hosting a workshop on Green Hydrogen
- Launching the ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign to promote climate resilience
- Future Plan of Action (2026-2030)
- Leaders agreed on the creation of a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) to further the partnership.
- Strengthening ASEAN-India Partnership: 2 joint statements were adopted
- Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability, & Prosperity in Indo-Pacific
- Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation, recognizing India’s role in digital public infrastructure
Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation: Key Highlights
- Importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- India’s contributions to ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and Centers of Excellence in Software Development were appreciated.
- Financial Technology (FinTech) Collaboration
- The partnership seeks to expand collaboration on FinTech innovations, especially through cross-border payment systems and digital financial solutions.
- Cybersecurity Cooperation
- Both parties supported the establishment of the ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue to bolster the resilience and security of digital infrastructure.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Collaboration
- The Joint Statement called for collaboration in AI to develop skills, infrastructure, risk management frameworks, and responsible policies.
- Focus areas include upskilling and reskilling the workforce and promoting trustworthy AI systems.
- Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
- Capacity building and knowledge-sharing initiatives will be fostered through regular exchanges, workshops, and training programs under the ASEAN-India Digital Ministers’ Meeting to support digital transformation efforts.
- Sustainable Financing and Investment
- India and ASEAN agreed to explore innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and international funding to support digital initiatives.
- The ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future will initially fund these activities.
