THE negotiations connected with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has also floundered due to India’s concerns about unfettered access to Chinese goods amid ASEAN resistance to movement of Indian services and labour.
Having the ASEAN leaders as joint chief guests at the 79th Republic Day celebrations on January 26 is a major diplomatic achievement for prime minister Narendra Modi. It has laid the foundation for moving from the late Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao’s ‘Look East’ policy to a much desired and long overdue ’Act East’ initiative.
This came to the fore during the Commemorative Summit between India and the ten-member South East Asian nations which has set the tone for deeper integration of the region amid China’s increasing expansionist designs. This is particularly so in the wake of its Naval forays in the Indo-Pacific coupled with the Belt and Road connectivity project having the portends of changing the equations in the region. ASEAN and India have underlined the need for enlarging security, economic and social-cultural cooperation and connectivity. These encompass measures for maritime transport, trade and a “code of conduct” for the South China Sea.
Notwithstanding the fault lines in the New Delhi-Beijing ties, the Indian diaspora has made a positive impact in the ASEAN countries. New Delhi and ASEAN realise with the demand for goods in the Western economies on the decline, it has to find ways whereby markets grow for increasing trade.
The continuing tension between the great powers — the US and Russia or the US and China — it has become necessary for the countries of ASEAN not aligned with anyone and India to forge a common understanding.
Both Modi and Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also the Chairman of ASEAN, thought alike emphasising it is time to leave behind the cold war divisions and reap the potential of their proximity. They also reminded that India’s cultural and trade ties with Southeast Asia go back 2000 years.
Nevertheless, New Delhi has encountered glitches in fulfilling the commitment pertaining to trade and maritime security made six years back in 2012 at the gathering of leaders from ASEAN and India in this country. Similarly, the negotiations connected with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has also floundered due to India’s concerns about unfettered access to Chinese goods amid ASEAN resistance to movement of Indian services and labour. Then the much talked about connectivity between ASEAN and India through this country’s Northeast to Myanmar and beyond has also been held up.
Simply put, an all out and determined push is required to integrate India into the ASEAN equation, which is no longer an option, but a necessity. ASEAN leaders believe India is an important component and has a key role to play in the Indo-Pacific region’s peace and prosperity. Needless to say the countries of this region have to deal with uncertain regional geopolitics along with the rise of economies. This will require a new political environment coupled with the economic realities and a different regulatory system. Governments will have to face disruptions due to digital technolgies resulting in multi-faceted challenges requiring forward looking policy as trade is becoming multi-dimentional.
It is in India’s interest to have freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, access to common waters and respect for international maritime law. The question is whether China matters in the ASEAN grouping. It does with serious misgivings. The countries out of its ambit have since joined the grouping like Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the drift in the India-ASEAN relationship has to end. The Indo-ASEAN conclave was followed by further diplomacy on Sunday last when New Delhi played host to Cambodian leader Hun Sen during a bilateral visit to boost ties in defence, security and counter terrorism. Modi announced a line of credit in several key areas like health and digital connectivity. Both leaders also sought security of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region and resolution of martime issues based on international law.
The fresh development of India managing and operating the security aspects in the Indian Ocean Island state of Seychelles assumes importance. This arrangement was agreed upon over the weekend and signed by outgoing foreign secretary S Jaishankar. It is in keeping with meeting India’s challenges in ensuring security in the Indian Ocean.
Considering the regional power imbalance scenario thanks to a declining US and an assertive China, India and ASEAN appeared keen on forging a strategic partnership for regional peace and security. Tackling other issues like terrorism, human trafficking, cyber crime and piracy also provides opportunities for greater cooperation. With US disengagement in the region, New Delhi has to navigate carefully when nations are looking for options that promote economic interests along with ensuring territorial sovereignty.
ASEAN, therefore, assumes immense significance. It may be recalled that Singapore’s elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew had held forth many years back that “India should be part of Southeast Asia’s balance of forces and a counterweight to China” in the Indian Ocean. The ball is now in India’s court as a reliable and strategic partner of ASEAN.
The writer is a senior journalist and commentator.
