Indian ASEAN

Subject :IR

Section: Groupings

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations):

Formation: ASEAN, established on August 8, 1967, is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries. The founding members are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Member States: The current member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
Secretariat: Located in Indonesia, Jakarta
ASEAN promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members.
Principles: ASEAN operates on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs, consensus-building, and mutual respect.

ASEAN Plus Six:

ASEAN Plus Six refers to a regional grouping that includes the ten member states of ASEAN plus six more countries, forming a broader economic and political framework.
Six Partner Countries: The six partner countries are China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
Purpose: The ASEAN Plus Six framework aims to enhance economic cooperation, trade, and diplomatic relations among the participating nations. It fosters regional integration and stability.
Areas of Cooperation: The collaboration covers various areas, including trade agreements, investment, technology exchange, cultural ties, and diplomatic dialogues.
Economic Significance: ASEAN Plus Six represents a significant economic bloc, bringing together some of the world’s major economies. The framework provides a platform for discussions on regional economic issues and facilitates the growth of the participating countries.

Significance of the Grouping:

3rd largest market globally, larger than EU and North American markets.
6th largest economy globally, 3rd in Asia.
Free-trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
4th most popular global investment destination.

India’s Transition from Look East Policy to Act East Policy:

Look East Policy (LEP): Initiated in the 1990s for active engagement with Southeast Asian countries.
- Reasons: Collapse of the Soviet Union, Balance of Payment crisis.
- Initially focused on trade and economic linkages with ASEAN.
Act East Policy (AEP): Maturity of Look East Policy with a focus on extended neighborhood in the Asia-Pacific region since 2014.
- Principles: Promote economic cooperation, cultural ties, and strategic relationships.
- Emphasis on tangible action, concrete results, deepening cooperation, and focus on North Eastern Region.