Context:

• China’s growing trading relationships with ASEAN nations has propelled it far ahead of India in Southeast Asia.

India and ASEAN

• The ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
• The 10 member states of ASEAN are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,  and Vietnam.
• Historically, Southeast Asia has been closer to India. 
  • Out of the 10 countries, nine have an Indic base. Only one has a Sinic base, which is Vietnam. 

Trade between India and ASEAN

• Top Goods Exported from ASEAN to India in 2021: Animal or vegetable fats, oils and products (14.7%), Electrical machinery, equipment and their parts (14.4%), Mineral fuels, oils and products of their distillation (12.5), Nuclear reactors, machinery and mechanical appliances (9.8%), Plastics and articles (6.1%), Organic chemicals (5.7%) etc.
• Top Goods Imported to ASEAN from India in 2021: Mineral fuels, oils and products of their distillation (16.2%), Iron and steel (10.3%), Nuclear reactors, machinery and mechanical appliances (7.7%), Pearls, precious metals and stones (7.4%),  Organic chemicals (5.6%), Pharmaceutical products (3.8%), Vehicles and accessories (3.7%) etc.

News Source: Mint