Context :

Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister joined the 1st ‘ASEAN Future Forum’ virtually.

About ASEAN Future Forum

• Proposed at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in 2023,which was held at Jakarta, Indonesia. 
• Objective : To serve as a platform for member states and partners to exchange ideas and policy suggestions. 
• Goal : To influence ASEAN’s developmental trajectory positively & formulate its Strategic Plans with focus on ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
• Initiated and hosted in : Hanoi, Vietnam. 
• Theme :  “Toward fast and sustainable growth of a people-centered ASEAN Community.” 

EAM emphasized the Significance of India with ASEAN : 

• Key Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Vision: ASEAN holds a central position in India’s Act East Policy.
  • India supports ASEAN unity and centrality, viewing a strong and unified ASEAN as vital in shaping the regional Indo-Pacific architecture. 
  • Synergy between ‘India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative’ (IIPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) provides a strong framework of cooperation, including and addressing challenges to comprehensive security.
• Support for ASEAN Centrality: The Quad initiative complements ASEAN-led mechanisms, offering people-centric benefits such as infrastructure and scholarships while recognizing ASEAN’s central role in regional prosperity. 
• Commitment to Regional Stability: 
  • India’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia underscores its commitment to maintaining peace, prosperity, and stability in the region. 
  • Initiatives like the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) highlight India’s role as a net security provider. 
• Upholding International Laws: Both India and ASEAN emphasize the importance of upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) and collaborate on addressing global challenges such as climate change, transnational crimes, and health and food security. 
• Promoting Diverse and Resilient Supply Chains: Recognizing the vulnerabilities exposed during the Covid19 pandemic, India and ASEAN advocate for diverse, secure, transparent, and resilient supply chains. 
• Multifaceted Cooperation: India and ASEAN collaborate through various sub-regional mechanisms, including the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and BIMSTEC, enhancing economic and cultural ties. 
• Advocating for Global South Perspective: India, as G20 President, emphasized the importance of the Global South’s perspective in international affairs which helps to foster cooperation and coordination between India and ASEAN in navigating the multipolar world order.

Additional Reading : ASEAN