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•The Association of Southeast Asian
Nations is a regional organization
which was established to promote
political and social stability amid
rising tensions among the Asia-
Pacific’s post-colonial states.

•The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision,

One Identity, One Community”.

•8th August 1967. 8TH AUGUST is

observed as ASEAN Day.

•ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia,

Jakarta.
 Demographic dividend – As of 1 July 2019, the population of the ASEAN was
about 655 million people (8.5% of the world population).

7th largest economy in the world. It is projected to rank as the fourth-largest

economy by 2050.

ASEAN has the third-largest labor force in the world, behind China and India.

ASEAN is the fourth-largest exporting region in the world, trailing only the
European Union, North America, and China/Hong Kong accounting for 7% of
global exports.
Where does the Genesis of ASEAN Lie?

• 1967 – ASEAN was

established with the signing
of the ASEAN Declaration
(Bangkok Declaration) by its
founding fathers.

• Founding Fathers of ASEAN

are: Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore and
Thailand.
•2003 – Bali Concord II for the establishment of an ASEAN Community.
•2007 – Cebu Declaration, to accelerate the establishment of ASEAN
Community by 2015.
•2008 – ASEAN Charter comes into force and becomes a legally binding
agreement.
•2015 – Launch of ASEAN Community.

•ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars:

• ASEAN Political-Security Community
• ASEAN Economic Community
• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
 The APSC shall aim to ensure that countries in the region live at peace with one
another and with the world in a just, democratic and harmonious environment.
The members of the Community pledge to rely exclusively on peaceful processes in
the settlement of intra-regional differences and regard their security as
fundamentally linked to one another and bound by geographic location, common
vision and objectives.

The AEC is the realization of the region’s end goal of economic integration. It envisions
ASEAN as a single market and product base, a highly competitive region, with equitable
economic development, and fully integrated into the global economy.

The ASEAN Socio Cultural Community is all about realizing the full potential of
ASEAN citizens.
 What are the Fundamental Principles of ASEAN?

•The ASEAN fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity

and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976

• Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality,

territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations.
• The right of every State to lead its national existence free from
external interference, subversion or coercion.
• Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another.
• Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner.
• Renunciation of the threat or use of force.
• Effective cooperation among themselves.
 What is Look East Policy ?

The Look East Policy of India was framed by the Narasimha Rao
government in the early nineties. It is a substantial manifestation of
India's focused foreign policy orientation towards an immensely
resourceful and flourishing region, i.e., South East Asia.

LEP was a consequence of India's Economic Liberalization and economic

construct.

LEP was converted to the Act East Policy in 2014. it sought to deepen and
diversify the economic and related cooperation.
 Why India Needs ASEAN?
•Significant Trade & Commercial Relations: ASEAN is a major destination for India’s
service sectors and a vital source of foreign investments.

•Development of North East India: ASEAN provides an alternate route for India’s access
to North Eastern India, facilitating development and strategic interests.

•Countering Chinese Expansion: Strengthening ties with ASEAN countries helps India
counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

•Maritime Freedom: Collaboration with ASEAN ensures a free and peaceful Indo-Pacific
region based on a rules-based order.

•Facing Politico-security Challenges: Cooperation in addressing security threats like

climate change, terrorism, and refugee crises benefits both sides.
 Why India Needs ASEAN?
•Support for Indian Initiatives: ASEAN’s support is crucial for India’s success in regional
policies and initiatives.

•Emerging Market: India benefits from ASEAN’s agricultural and industrial products,
while ASEAN relies on India’s demographic dividend.

•Global Reforms: ASEAN’s global influence aligns with India’s vision for reforms in
international forums.

•Diaspora: Southeast Asia’s significant Indian diaspora fosters cultural ties and people-
to-people relations.

•Elevating India’s Global Status: Partnership with ASEAN enhances India’s geopolitical
standing.
China has released
its new map in
August 2023 that
included its
contested claims
on the western
border with India,
the South China
Sea and Taiwan

India and ASEAN

both have common
stand against this
map.
 What are the Challenges within ASEAN?

•Regional imbalances in the economic and social status of its individual markets.
•Gap between rich and poor ASEAN member states remains very large and they
have a mixed record on income inequality.
• While Singapore boasts the highest GDP per capita—nearly $53,000 (2016),
Cambodia’s per capita GDP is the lowest at less than $1,300.
• Many regional initiatives were not able to be incorporated into national plans,
as the less developed countries faced resource constraints to implement the
regional commitments.

The members’ political systems are equally mixed with democracies,

communist, and authoritarian states.
•While the South China Sea is the main issue exposing the organization’s rifts.

•ASEAN has been divided over major issues of human rights. For example,
crackdowns in Myanmar against the Rohingyas.

•Inability to negotiate a unified approach with regards to China, particularly in

response to its widespread maritime claims in the South China Sea.

•The emphasis on consensus sometimes becomes the a chief drawback – difficult

problems have been avoided rather than confronted.

•There is no central mechanism to enforce compliance.

•Inefficient dispute-settlement mechanism, whether it be in the economic or political

spheres.
 What are the issues and challenges in India-ASEAN relations?

While India and ASEAN have made significant progress in their bilateral relationship,
there are still some issues and challenges that hinder their cooperation.

•Trade Imbalances: India's trade deficit with ASEAN has increased over the years.
This has led to concerns in India about the benefits of the ASEAN-India Free Trade
Agreement.

•Nature of engagement: India still engages with ASEAN countries more on a

bilateral basis rather than through a multilateral approach.

•Competing regional agreements: Engagement with other regional agreements like

the RCEP and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP) diverts attention and resources away from the ASEAN-India
relationship.
 What are the issues and challenges in India-ASEAN relations?

•Chinese presence: The existence of other regional powers like China limits the
ability of ASEAN to harness India’s potential for regional stability.

•Limited Connectivity: Despite efforts to enhance connectivity, physical and digital

connectivity between India and ASEAN countries remains limited, which affects
trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
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