Why in news?
- India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit was held recently, marking 25 years of India-ASEAN ties.
- The ‘Delhi Declaration’ was released after the summit.
What are the key mentions?
- MARITIME - ASEAN-India cooperation in the maritime domain was one of the key focus areas.
- Growth and development for the Indo-Pacific region was the prime objective behind this agenda.
- Shared vision for peace and prosperity through a rules-based order for the oceans and seas was emphasized.
- Respect for international law, notably UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) was stressed as critical.
- The reference to freedom of navigation and UNCLOS came in the backdrop of China’s position on the disputed South China Sea.
- Humanitarian and disaster relief, and security cooperation were also agreed as areas of cooperation.
- Support for the implementation of Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) was expressed.
- TERRORISM - Close cooperation among countries for combating terrorism, especially cross border movement of terrorists found mention.
- ECONOMY - The declaration called upon the states to intensify efforts towards finalising the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
- India proposed a framework to ASEAN for cooperation in the blue economy sector.
- It offered to set up digital villages in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
- This would be by utilising the $1 billion line of credit for connectivity.
- Besides, 2019 will be marked as the year of India-ASEAN tourism by both the sides.
Why is India-ASEAN partnership so essential?
- Economic - The demand for goods in Western economies is coming down.
- Also, there could be alterations in employment structures and even loss of jobs in the coming future.
- Digital technologies and the impending Fourth Industrial Revolution could largely drive these changes.
- These call for the south-east Asian region to look deeper within, to develop markets and increase trade for mutual benefits.
- China - Maritime rivalry with China is another challenge which calls for India to develop a strong regional cooperation.
- It includes its territorial claim on the resource-rich South China Sea, OBOR initiative and power struggle in the Indian Ocean.
- Terrorism - ASEAN countries have, in the past few years, been victims of terrorist attacks; Indonesia and Thailand in particular.
- The mention of cross-border terrorism also assumes significance with India's concerns in regards with Pakistan.
- Other non-traditional challenges such as human trafficking, cybercrime and piracy also demands regional cooperation.
- Besides these, India’s cultural and trade ties with Southeast Asia go back 2,000 years.
- India and ASEAN also have a unique opportunity to reap the potential of geographic proximity.
- The presence of the Indian diaspora in almost all ASEAN nations is another factor requiring partnerships.
- Given all these, India-ASEAN partnership is more an economic and strategic necessity than a choice.
What is the way forward?
- Several commitments to trade and maritime security made in earlier summits remain unfulfilled.
- Some of them are:
- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
- connectivity between ASEAN countries and India
- India’s connectivity through its Northeast to Myanmar and beyond
- extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
- Kaladan multimodal highway
- Tamu-Kalay rail link to Myanmar
- Speeding up efforts on these fronts is essential to make 'Act East Policy' meaningful.
Source: The Wire, The Hindu
