2025 News Snippet Indias Engagement With ASEAN

The Prime Minister of India attended the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, reiterating India's commitment to its long-standing relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This summit underscores the strategic importance India places on its ties with ASEAN, a partnership that began with formal engagement in 1992 and has evolved into a strategic partnership. The summit serves as a platform for India to discuss cooperation in various sectors, address regional challenges, and reaffirm its role in the Indo-Pacific region. Key areas of discussion included regional security, economic growth, and cultural exchange, reflecting India's Act East Policy and its commitment to fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Deepening Ties: India's Strategic Engagement with ASEAN in 2025

The 21st ASEAN-India Summit, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in 2025, marked a significant moment in the evolving relationship between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The summit, attended by the Prime Minister of India, served as a crucial platform for reaffirming the strategic partnership between the two entities and charting a course for future cooperation across a multitude of sectors. This engagement reflects India's long-standing commitment to the region, a commitment rooted in historical ties, economic opportunities, and strategic imperatives.

The ASEAN, as an organization, is a regional intergovernmental body composed of ten Southeast Asian nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Established in 1967, ASEAN has evolved from a primarily economic organization into a multifaceted regional bloc with a significant role in political and security matters. Its headquarters are located in Jakarta, Indonesia. The success of ASEAN has been a testament to the commitment of its member states to regional cooperation, a commitment that has fostered economic growth, social progress, and cultural development within Southeast Asia. ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture has made it a critical partner for countries like India, which seek to engage with the broader Asia-Pacific region.

India's relationship with ASEAN is not a recent phenomenon. Formal engagement began in 1992, a period when India was undergoing significant economic and political reforms. The "Look East Policy," initiated in the early 1990s, laid the groundwork for deeper engagement with Southeast Asia. This policy shift was driven by a confluence of factors: the desire to tap into the economic dynamism of the region, the strategic importance of Southeast Asia as a gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific, and the historical and cultural connections between India and the ASEAN member states. India's engagement with ASEAN has steadily deepened over the years, evolving from a dialogue partnership to a summit-level partnership in 2002. In 2012, this partnership reached a new level with the establishment of a Strategic Partnership, reflecting the growing trust and shared interests between India and ASEAN. This strategic partnership encompasses cooperation in various areas, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, socio-cultural exchanges, and security cooperation.

The ASEAN-India Summit, as an annual event, provides a crucial framework for discussions between the two sides. These summits provide opportunities for the leaders of India and ASEAN member states to discuss regional and global issues of mutual concern, assess the progress of existing cooperation mechanisms, and identify new areas for collaboration. The summits typically result in the signing of agreements, the issuance of joint statements, and the articulation of a shared vision for the future. The agenda of the summits is often comprehensive, covering a wide range of topics, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, connectivity, maritime security, counter-terrorism, climate change, and cultural exchange. These summits are not just diplomatic events; they are also critical for setting the tone and direction of the relationship.

Several key institutions and frameworks underpin India's engagement with ASEAN. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), established in 1994, provides a crucial platform for dialogue on political and security issues. India joined the ARF in 1996, and has since been an active participant, contributing to regional security discussions and confidence-building measures. The ARF provides a space for India to engage with ASEAN member states on sensitive issues such as maritime security, non-proliferation, and counter-terrorism. The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+), in which India participates, is another important forum for security cooperation. ADMM+ brings together ASEAN Defence Ministers and their counterparts from partner countries to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and practical cooperation. The Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) is also a key platform for discussing maritime issues, reflecting the growing importance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. India's participation in these forums demonstrates its commitment to a rules-based regional order and its willingness to contribute to regional security initiatives.

The Delhi Dialogue, an annual track 1.5 forum, plays a crucial role in facilitating discussions between ASEAN and India. This forum brings together government officials, academics, experts, and representatives from the private sector to discuss a wide range of issues, including political, economic, and socio-cultural matters. The Delhi Dialogue provides a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, fostering understanding, and identifying areas for future cooperation. The dialogue helps to inform policy-making, build consensus, and strengthen the overall relationship between India and ASEAN.

The "Act East Policy," which replaced the "Look East Policy," is the cornerstone of India's engagement with ASEAN. The Act East Policy is a comprehensive foreign policy initiative that aims to enhance economic, strategic, and cultural relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It goes beyond the economic focus of the Look East Policy to encompass a broader range of issues, including political dialogue, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges. The Act East Policy is driven by India's vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, where all countries can thrive and prosper. This policy reflects India's commitment to playing a more active role in the region and to contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

India's participation in various exercises with ASEAN, such as the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and the ASEAN Solidarity Exercise, underscores the commitment to security cooperation. These exercises are designed to enhance interoperability, build trust, and promote maritime security in the region. They provide opportunities for the armed forces of India and ASEAN member states to train together, share best practices, and coordinate responses to common challenges, such as piracy, terrorism, and natural disasters.

The ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation, which includes ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, is another important framework for regional cooperation. India is not a member of the ASEAN Plus Three framework, but it closely follows its activities and seeks to coordinate its policies with those of the framework. India’s engagement with the ASEAN Plus Three framework is primarily through bilateral and multilateral channels. India recognizes the importance of the ASEAN Plus Three framework in promoting regional economic integration and stability.

The historical context of India's engagement with ASEAN is essential for understanding the current dynamics of the relationship. India's Look East Policy, initiated in 1991, was a turning point in its foreign policy. The end of the Cold War and the rise of globalization created new opportunities for India to engage with the world. India's economic reforms, launched in the same period, made it more attractive as a trading and investment partner. The Look East Policy was a response to these changing circumstances, and it paved the way for India's deeper engagement with Southeast Asia. Historical and cultural ties between India and Southeast Asia are also a crucial part of the story. India has long-standing cultural and religious links with many countries in the region. These historical connections have helped to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and to build trust and understanding between India and ASEAN member states.

The strategic importance of ASEAN for India cannot be overstated. ASEAN is located at the crossroads of major sea lanes, making it a strategically vital region. The region is also experiencing rapid economic growth and offers significant opportunities for trade and investment. ASEAN's strategic location and economic dynamism make it an important partner for India in its efforts to promote regional security and prosperity. ASEAN is also a key player in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region. The rise of China and the increasing competition between major powers have made ASEAN more important than ever. India seeks to work with ASEAN to promote a rules-based regional order and to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, and inclusive.

Multiple stakeholder positions shape the dynamics of the ASEAN-India relationship. India’s official position is one of committed partnership, seeking to strengthen its strategic partnership with ASEAN, promote regional peace and stability, and expand economic cooperation. India’s underlying interests include countering China’s influence in the region, gaining access to Southeast Asian markets, enhancing its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, and promoting regional security. ASEAN, on the other hand, is seeking to enhance cooperation with India in various sectors, including trade, investment, and security. ASEAN’s underlying interests include promoting economic growth, maintaining regional stability, and balancing the influence of major powers. China, while not directly a part of the ASEAN-India dialogue, is a significant stakeholder in the region. China aims to increase its influence in the region and has its own set of interests, including maintaining its economic and political influence in the region. The interplay of these stakeholder positions shapes the dynamics of the relationship and influences the agenda of the summits and other interactions.

The broader implications of the ASEAN-India relationship are significant. Politically, the relationship strengthens India’s position in the Indo-Pacific region and reinforces its role as a responsible power. Diplomatic ties are enhanced, fostering a rules-based regional order. Security cooperation is promoted, addressing shared security challenges such as maritime security and counter-terrorism. Economically, the relationship expands trade and investment opportunities, contributing to economic growth. Socially, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity are fostered, strengthening the bonds between India and ASEAN countries. These broader implications demonstrate the multifaceted nature of the relationship and its importance for the overall stability and prosperity of the region.

Several related ongoing issues impact the ASEAN-India relationship. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are a constant factor, as are China’s increasing influence in Southeast Asia, efforts to promote free and open trade in the region, and maritime security concerns, especially those related to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. These issues require careful management and cooperation between India and ASEAN member states.

The future outlook for the ASEAN-India relationship is positive. Continued strengthening of India-ASEAN relations is anticipated, with a focus on economic cooperation, security partnerships, and addressing regional challenges. Further expansion of trade and investment is expected, along with increased cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, the digital economy, and green technologies. India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region will continue to grow, and its partnership with ASEAN will be a key factor in shaping the regional landscape. The commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, shared by India and ASEAN, will be a guiding principle for future cooperation. The summit in Vientiane, and its successors, will be critical platforms for shaping this future and ensuring that the ASEAN-India relationship continues to flourish.