17th ASEAN India Summit

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 17th ASEAN-India Summit at the invitation of H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam, the current Chair of ASEAN. The Summit, which saw the participation of all ten ASEAN Member States, was conducted in virtual format.

Highlights

    • India underlined the centrality of ASEAN in India's Act East Policy stating that ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilisational ties.

    • It was pointed out that a cohesive, responsive and prosperous ASEAN is central to India's Indo-Pacific Vision and contributes to Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

    • PM underscored the importance of strengthening convergence between India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific, to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

    • On COVID-19, the Prime Minister highlighted India's response and broader support to the international community, and announced a contribution of US$ 1 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

    • India reiterated its offer of US$ 1 billion Line of Credit to support ASEAN connectivity.

    • India also highlighted the importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains for post-COVID economic recovery, in trade and investment.

    • Discussions also covered regional and international issues of common interest and concern, including South China Sea and terrorism.

    • The leaders affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety and security in the South China Sea, and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.

    • ASEAN leaders acknowledged India’s contribution towards promoting peace and stability in the region and welcomed the adoption of the new ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2021-2025.

    • ASEAN is India’s fourth largest trading partner with about $86.9 bn in trade between India and the ten ASEAN nations.

ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2021-2025

    • Plan of Action (POA) guides the implementation of ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership towards achieving the goals and objectives of the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity.

    • Through the implementation of this POA, ASEAN and India will also work towards supporting the ASEAN Community building and integration process, including the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, for a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible and a truly people-oriented, people-centered and rules based ASEAN, narrowing the development gap and enhancing ASEAN Connectivity.

    • The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), adopted at the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, can serve as a guiding principle in promoting cooperation between ASEAN and India through the existing ASEAN-led mechanisms in the four key areas outlined in the Outlook, namely 

    I. maritime cooperation

    II. connectivity

    III. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030

    IV. economic and other possible areas of cooperation to contribute to peace, prosperity and development in the region.

    • ASEAN and India are committed to engage in

    I. Political Cooperation

    II. Security Cooperation

    III. Maritime Cooperation

    IV. Transnational Crime and Counter-Terrorism

    V. Economic Cooperation in 

    • Trade & Investment

    • Finance

    • Energy

    • Transport

    • Food Agriculture & Forestry

    • Information & Communication Technology

    • Tourism

    • Science, Technology & Innovation.

    VI. Socio-cultural cooperation

        ◦ Disaster Management and Emergency Response

        ◦ Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity

        ◦ Public Health

        ◦ Education, Youth, Culture and People-to-people Exchange

    VII. Cross-Pillar Cooperation such as

        ◦ Initiative for ASEAN Integration and Narrowing the Development Gap

        ◦ Connectivity

        ◦ Smart Cities

        ◦ ASEAN Institutional Strengthening

        ◦ Sustainable Development Cooperation

        ◦ Implementation Mechanism.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)