Answer:

Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 marks a crucial juncture for the region and holds strategic significance for India. As a key player in ASEAN, Malaysia’s leadership offers India opportunities to deepen its engagement in economic, security, and multilateral spheres, strengthening its Act East Policy and fostering greater regional cooperation.

Strategic Importance of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for India:

• Enhanced Regional Influence: Malaysia’s chairmanship will allow India to consolidate its presence in Southeast Asia through ASEAN aligning with India’s Act East Policy and its aspirations to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Economic Cooperation through AITIGA: Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair offers an opportunity to push for a review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), boosting trade between India and ASEAN.
  For example: In 2022, India and ASEAN reached $131.5 billion in bilateral trade, a figure that could increase with AITIGA reforms.
• Geopolitical Stability in the Indo-Pacific: As Malaysia emphasises the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), India can collaborate in ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region..
• Defence Cooperation: Malaysia’s chairmanship provides India with avenues to enhance defence cooperation through ASEAN’s Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) mechanism, contributing to regional security.
  For example: India’s BrahMos missile system could be explored as a defence collaboration with ASEAN members, including Malaysia.
• Strengthening Maritime Security: Given Malaysia’s strategic location in the Strait of Malacca, India can work closely with ASEAN to enhance maritime security and freedom of navigation.
  For example: India and Malaysia conducted joint naval exercises like SITMEX 2022, emphasising the importance of secure sea lines of communication.
• Energy Security Collaboration: Malaysia’s ASEAN leadership provides an opportunity for India to collaborate on regional energy security, particularly in renewable energy sectors like solar and wind.
  For example: India’s International Solar Alliance could be integrated into ASEAN’s renewable energy initiatives, fostering clean energy cooperation.
• Counterterrorism and Cybersecurity: As ASEAN addresses non-traditional security threats like terrorism and cyberattacks, India can offer expertise in counterterrorism and cybersecurity cooperation.
• Diplomatic Support for Global Forums: Malaysia’s chairmanship strengthens ASEAN’s collective voice in global forums, allowing India to seek greater diplomatic support for its UNSC permanent seat aspirations.
  For example: During Malaysia’s 2022 support, it endorsed India’s bid for a permanent seat, aligning with India’s pursuit of multilateral reform.

How India Can Leverage Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship:

• Strengthening Trade Relations: India can leverage Malaysia’s chairmanship to advocate for the review of AITIGA, ensuring better market access and trade facilitation for Indian goods.
• Expanding Digital Connectivity: India can push for digital partnerships under Malaysia’s leadership, building on its Digital India initiative and expanding ASEAN’s digital economy.
  For example: India’s UPI system can be expanded to ASEAN countries, enhancing financial integration and digital trade facilitation.
• Collaboration on Climate Change Initiatives: India can work with Malaysia and ASEAN on sustainable development projects, particularly in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• Promoting People-to-People Ties: India can use Malaysia’s chairmanship to enhance cultural diplomacy and strengthen educational collaborations, such as expanding IIT campuses in ASEAN nations.
  For example: IIT Kharagpur is set to open its first overseas campus in Malaysia, promoting educational exchange.
• Defense Technology Exports: India can expand its defence exports to ASEAN under Malaysia’s chairmanship, capitalising on its indigenously developed systems like Tejas and BrahMos.
  For example: India’s Defense Expo 2024 highlighted potential collaborations in defence with ASEAN countries, focusing on technology transfer and equipment sales.
• Enhancing Multilateral Engagements: India can strengthen its multilateral diplomacy with ASEAN, using Malaysia’s chairmanship to advocate for ASEAN-centric solutions to regional challenges.
  For example: India can propose a greater role in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), addressing issues like terrorism, maritime security, and climate change.
• Building ASEAN-India Connectivity: India can focus on improving physical and digital connectivity with ASEAN, leveraging Malaysia’s leadership to expedite projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway.
• Promoting Regional Stability: Malaysia’s approach to quiet diplomacy in the South China Sea dispute allows India to support peaceful resolutions while maintaining its stance on freedom of navigation.
  For instance: India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative complements ASEAN’s efforts in ensuring maritime peace and stability.

Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 provides a strategic opportunity for India to enhance its engagement in the region. By focusing on trade, digital connectivity, defence cooperation, and multilateral diplomacy, India can strengthen its influence in Southeast Asia. A forward-looking partnership will ensure India’s pivotal role in shaping regional security, economic growth, and development within ASEAN.

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