{"id":137094,"date":"2024-10-11T20:20:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T14:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=137094"},"modified":"2024-10-15T15:54:41","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T10:24:41","slug":"21st-asean-india-summit","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/21st-asean-india-summit","title":{"rendered":"21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, the <\/span><b>21st ASEAN-India Summit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was held in <\/span><b>Vientiane, Laos.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian Prime Minister (PM) also attended the <\/span><b>19th East Asia Summit (EAS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on 11 October 2024 in <\/span><b>Vientiane, Lao PDR<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India commemorated the <\/span><b>10th anniversary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of its <\/span><b>Act East Policy.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.8983%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt; color: #000000;\"><b>Key Highlights of the 19th East Asia Summit<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>ASEAN&#8217;s Central Role<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India emphasised <\/span><b>ASEAN&#8217;s crucial role<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the<\/span><b> Indo-Pacific regional framework,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aligning with its <\/span><b>Indo-Pacific Vision and Quad cooperation.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Act East Policy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India highlighted its participation in the <\/span><b>East Asia Summit (EAS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a <\/span><b>fundamental component of its Act East Policy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Development Over Expansionism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A development-oriented approach was advocated, <\/span><b>contrasting with expansionist strategies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the region.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Support for Nalanda University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India <\/span><b>expressed gratitude for support in reviving Nalanda University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>invited EAS countries <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to a<\/span><b> Heads of Higher Education Conclave there.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Global Security Challenges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India highlighted <\/span><b>terrorism, cyber threats, and maritime challenges <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as significant global security issues, calling for collective action to address these threats.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Acknowledgment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India thanked the Prime Minister of Laos for hosting the summit and <\/span><b>expressed full support for Malaysia as the new ASEAN Chair.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Highlights Of the 21st India-ASEAN Summit 2024<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>10-Point Plan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a <\/span><b>10-point plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to bolster the <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the <\/span><b>21st ASEAN-India Summit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Maritime Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASEAN and India agreed to enhance collaboration between the <\/span><b>ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the<\/span><b> Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ASEAN-India Plan of Action: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The leaders agreed to create a <\/span><b>new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to realise the full potential of the ASEAN-India partnership\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Counter Terrorism Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India&#8217;s <\/span><b>co-chairmanship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the ASEAN Defence Ministers\u2019 Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts\u2019 Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for<\/span><b> 2024-2027 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was highlighted in the Summit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reviewing AITIGA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Both sides emphasised the need to expedite the <\/span><b>review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>10-Point Plan Announced At The Summit<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2025 will be celebrated as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India will <\/span><b>contribute USD 5 million <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for joint activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Celebrating a Decade of Act East Policy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Activities include a<\/span><b> Youth Summit,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Start-up Festival, <\/span><b>Hackathon<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Music Festival, and<\/span><b> Delhi Dialogue.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Delhi Dialogue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an <\/span><b>annual track 1.5 event <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for discussing politico-security and economic issues <\/span><b>between Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was initially set up with <\/span><b>$1 million<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>2008<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and later increased to <\/span><b>$5 million in 2015<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to support collaborative research projects between<\/span><b> India and ASEAN member countries.<\/b><\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Organising ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: under the <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund (AISTDF).<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increased Scholarships<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>Doubling scholarships at Nalanda University <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and offering new ones for ASEAN students in agricultural universities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Review of ASEAN-India Trade Agreement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Set for completion by <\/span><b>2025.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhancing Disaster Resilience<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India will contribute <\/span><b>USD 5 million <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for disaster resilience initiatives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ASEAN-India Health Ministers\u2019 Track<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: To build health resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Strengthening digital and cyber resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Green Hydrogen Workshop<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: To foster clean energy collaboration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>\u2018Plant a Tree for Mother\u2019 Campaign<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Invited ASEAN leaders to participate in the &#8220;Plant a Tree for Mother&#8221; campaign to <\/span><b>enhance climate resilience.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Evolution of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-137044 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/111-670929c7ba4d3.webp\" alt=\"21st ASEAN-India Summit\" width=\"374\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/111-670929c7ba4d3.webp 592w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/111-670929c7ba4d3-300x268.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Early 1990s: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India introduced the <\/span><b>Look East policy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Initial Growth (1992-2002)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>ASEAN-India Relations <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">began as a<\/span><b> sectoral dialogue partnership<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in<\/span><b> 1992,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> elevated to a <\/span><b>full dialogue partnership <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by <\/span><b>1995.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>First ASEAN-India Summit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> held in 2002, marking rapid progress in their cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Partnership (2012)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>2012,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ties were elevated to a <\/span><b>Strategic Partnership<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as <\/span><b>ASEAN and India celebrated 20 years of dialogue.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was formed to review and strengthen relations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>Act East Policy: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act East policy emphasises a more <\/span><b>proactive approach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, encompassing not only <\/span><b>ASEAN countries <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">but also expanding focus to include <\/span><b>other Indo-Pacific nations s<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">uch as <\/span><b>Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>2022<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both sides established the <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and celebrated<\/span><b> 30 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">years of mutually beneficial <\/span><b>partnership<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.7979%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>About ASEAN &#8211; Association of Southeast Asian Nations<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Establishment: 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Founding members:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Motto: \u201cOne Vision, One Identity, One Community\u201d.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Members: 10 Members:<\/b><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand<\/span><b>, Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1995), Lao PDR and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999)<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Chairmanship: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chairmanship<\/span><b> rotates annually, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">based on the <\/span><b>alphabetical order<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the English names of Member States.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>About East Asia Summit (EAS)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Established: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>2005<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as an <\/span><b>ASEAN-led initiative.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Aim: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It emphasises openness, inclusiveness, respect for international law, and ASEAN centrality, with ASEAN acting as the driving force.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Membership: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has <\/span><b>18 member<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s: <\/span><b>10 ASEAN countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and <\/span><b>eight Non ASEAN Member States <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Australia, China, <\/span><b>India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Significance of India-ASEAN Partnership<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic Significance:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Trade:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India and ASEAN are <\/span><b>major trading partner<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s, with India&#8217;s trade with ASEAN accounting for<\/span><b> 11% of its global trade.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India-ASEAN trade had <\/span><b>doubled to over USD 130 billion <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the <\/span><b>past decade.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (FTA) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has increased bilateral trade, and India is ASEAN&#8217;s<\/span><b> sixth largest trading partner.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Investments:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is ASEAN&#8217;s <\/span><b>eighth largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Singapore<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is India&#8217;s<\/span><b> largest trade partner in ASEAN <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and its<\/span><b> sixth largest trade partner worldwide.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Significance:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Countering China\u2019s Influence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASEAN is a key strategic partner for India, particularly <\/span><b>amidst rising geopolitical tensions with China.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>\u00a0Alignment of India\u2019s &#8216;Act East Policy&#8217; with ASEAN\u2019s Indo-Pacific Outlook: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India&#8217;s &#8216;Act East Policy&#8217; and ASEAN&#8217;s &#8216;Outlook on the Indo-Pacific&#8217; <\/span><b>share similar visions <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for <\/span><b>ensuring regional stability and security.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>India\u2019s Role in Regional Security: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India engages with ASEAN through forums like the <\/span><b>East Asia Summit <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>ASEAN Regional Forum <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to <\/span><b>position itself<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a <\/span><b>net security provider<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regional Connectivity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Infrastructure Projects <\/span><b>such as India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are vital for enhancing regional connectivity with Southeast Asia.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also serve as alternatives to China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Defence Collaboration: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India and ASEAN have strengthened defence ties through joint military exercises like the <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and participation in the <\/span><b>ASEAN Defense Ministers\u2019 Meeting Plus (ADMM+).<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India views<\/span><b> ASEAN<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as <\/span><b>central<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to its <\/span><b>Indo-Pacific strategy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for regional security and growth, <\/span><b>represented by the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Others:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Funding and financial assistance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India has supported ASEAN countries through various funds like the<\/span><b> ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>ASEAN-India S&#038;T Development Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the<\/span><b> ASEAN-India Green Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, aimed at enhancing cooperation in different sectors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Education and Research:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India has established the <\/span><b>ASEAN-India Centre at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to facilitate studies on ASEAN-India relations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>First Responder in HADR:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India has been among the first responders in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the region.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example: India launched<\/span><b> Operation Sadbhav<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to deliver disaster relief to <\/span><b>Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in response to severe flooding caused by<\/span><b> Typhoon Yagi, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in line with its long-standing \u2018Act East\u2019 Policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Challenges in India-ASEAN Relations<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lack of Market Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some Indian products do not have market access in ASEAN countries due to factors such as high tariffs and non-tariff barriers.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>The absence of mutual recognition agreements in professional services restricts the mobility of skilled professionals.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ASEAN Strict Rules of Origin:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has strict rules of origin, making it challenging for Indian exporters to qualify for tariff reductions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Misuse of ASEAN FTA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There are reports of<\/span><b> goods being rerouted from China through ASEAN countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with minimal value addition, <\/span><b>misusing the FTA benefits.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.9987%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an economic agreement<\/span><b> between ASEAN members and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Members: 15 member countries, such as China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Australia, and ASEAN nations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">( Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Trade Imbalance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India&#8217;s trade deficit with ASEAN has <\/span><b>more than doubled since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was implemented in 2010, particularly in sectors like <\/span><b>electronics and machinery <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">due to issues related to<\/span><b> implementation, customs procedures, and non-tariff barriers etc.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>India&#8217;s Withdrawal from RCEP: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India&#8217;s<\/span><b> decision to withdraw<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has led to significant <\/span><b>economic disappointment among ASEAN members.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infrastructure Connectivity Challenges: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical infrastructure links remain underdeveloped. Example: The <\/span><b>India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, has faced significant delays and remains <\/span><b>incomplete.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>China Factor:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India\u2019s attempts to counterbalance China, such as through the <\/span><b>Quad Alliance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, receive<\/span><b> mixed reactions from ASEAN countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Cooperation has also been affected<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by <\/span><b>China\u2019s claims over the South China Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (many of which <\/span><b>compete with claims of ASEAN members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like the <\/span><b>Philippines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Brunei<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and the<\/span><b> issue of military conflict<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in its member country, <\/span><b>Myanmar.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Measures to Improve India-ASEAN Relations<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Recalibrating the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a need to<\/span><b> review AIFTA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><b>address trade imbalances<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>negotiate balanced tariff reductions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in key sectors like <\/span><b>pharmaceuticals, textiles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,and <\/span><b>greater market access for services.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhancing Infrastructure Connectivity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accelerate key projects such as the <\/span><b>India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> extending it to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop a <\/span><b>&#8220;Connectivity Master Plan&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aligned with <\/span><b>ASEAN&#8217;s Master Plan on Connectivity 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including digital initiatives like the <\/span><b>India-ASEAN submarine cable project.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Boosting Manufacturing Competitiveness: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extend the <\/span><b>Production Linked Incentive (PLI) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scheme to boost competitiveness in industries critical for ASEAN trade.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Expanding QUAD to QUAD+: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The concept of the <\/span><b>Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should be <\/span><b>expanded to include ASEAN countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, creating a QUAD+ arrangement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Expanding Semiconductor Diplomacy in ASEAN: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India should expand its<\/span><b> semiconductor diplomacy with Malaysia and Singapore <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to <\/span><b>include other ASEAN nations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, enhancing collaborations in semiconductor manufacturing.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthening Cultural Connections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: via <\/span><b>Tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Collaborative productions in <\/span><b>cinema, music, and television<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Offering <\/span><b>language courses for ASEAN languages in India <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>vice versa <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, etc can deepen relations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The India-ASEAN relationship, marked by strong trade and cultural ties <\/span><b>can ensure mutual prosperity and stability in Asia.<\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.043%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 130.811%; 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