The 21st Century: The Century of India and ASEAN - Modi’s Strategic Visit to Lao-PDR

Modi's two-day visit during the second week of October to attend the 21st India-ASEAN and the 19th East Asia summits in Lao PDR on the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone marked India's commitment to forge stronger ties with ASEAN amid an ever-growing volatile global order.

India’s engagement with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has witnessed a paradigm shift under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently undertook a strategic visit to the region as part of the ASEAN-India Summit. Modi's visits to Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore earlier and to Laos in October reflect his commitment to deepening ties with ASEAN nations as part of India's Act East Policy (AEP). These visits highlight India's dedication to building a resilient partnership with Southeast Asia, a region historically linked to India through rich cultural and trade exchanges.

From the 1st Century AD until the advent of colonialism, Southeast Asia underwent significant Indianization, with cultural, religious, and economic exchanges profoundly integrating the region with Bharat. However, colonial powers eventually disrupted the strong maritime trade and knowledge exchange network, dismantling a thriving historical relationship between India and Southeast Asia.

A notable paradox in India’s Nehruvian foreign policy was its inability to incorporate Southeast Asian nations into a broader familial framework despite a rich shared history. India and Southeast Asia forming the Indic-Belt Community, enjoyed a flourishing cultural and economic bond marked by peace and prosperity. Historically, this region seldom faced major famines or intense catastrophe underscoring the stability and resilience of their interconnected civilizations.

The cultural and civilizational integration became so intense that Indonesia was named “Islands of India”, as Indo means India and Nesus, a Greek word that means island. The undercurrent cultural conscience among the countries of SEA is still embedded in the ethical pursuits prescribed in the Indian epics as part of the knowledge tradition when we see how Indian epics and folklore are typical among the ASEAN nations.

Under Modi's leadership, India has transformed its approach towards ASEAN, emphasizing concrete actions over symbolic gestures. The AEP has redefined India's foreign policy to prioritize relations with its neighbours, specifically the ASEAN countries. Prime Minister Modi has turned out to be a game changer in India's foreign policy by diversifying and further enhancing its commitment to its neighbourhood-first policy. Transforming LEP into the Act East Policy in 2014 reflects his aggressive foreign policy, which discusses common peace and prosperity. Under AEP, regional diplomatic missions were strategically restructured and strengthened, and seasoned and well-trained diplomats were deployed across ASEAN countries. To further enhance focus on ASEAN relations, a dedicated embassy was established in Jakarta to oversee ASEAN affairs. Additionally, various scholarships and training programmes, particularly in IT and other vital sectors, were launched to foster greater integration and collaboration with ASEAN nations.

Modi’s visit to Brunei Darussalam, one of ASEAN's smallest members, underscores his inclusive approach, valuing all nations within the bloc regardless of size. In Laos, the current ASEAN Chair Modi's visit was significant, reinforcing India's commitment to ASEAN's central role in the region's political and economic stability.

During his visit, Modi unveiled a 10-point plan to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership. This plan addresses various aspects of cooperation, including tourism, education, trade, disaster resilience, and climate action. Notable elements include celebrating 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, doubling scholarships for ASEAN students, and organizing a women scientists' conclave under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund. Additionally, Modi announced a review of the ASEAN-India Trade and Goods Agreement with a vision to harness the full economic potential of this partnership.

Modi's emphasis on people-centric activities, such as a youth summit, start-up festival, and music festival, reflects his understanding of the importance of cultural diplomacy. These initiatives aim to foster greater understanding and collaboration between the youth of India and ASEAN countries, laying the groundwork for future partnerships. Modi also highlighted the need for increased disaster resilience, with India pledging an additional $5 million towards this effort, and proposed the launch of a 'Plant a Tree for Mother' campaign, inviting ASEAN leaders to join hands in promoting climate resilience.

In his address at the summit, Modi articulated his vision for the 21st century, describing it as the "century of India and ASEAN nations." He pointed out the challenges the current geopolitical landscape poses, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the aggressive situation in the Middle East. Modi emphasized the importance of ASEAN and India as part of the Global South, advocating for a balanced and multipolar world order.

Through his Act East Policy (AEP), Modi has positioned India as a reliable partner for ASEAN nations. This shift in India's foreign policy is more than a response to regional dynamics. However, it reflects Modi's domestic success in promoting social justice, evidenced by 240.82 million people emerging from multidimensional poverty over the past nine years. Together, these domestic achievements and foreign policy shifts present India as a committed and capable partner for ASEAN nations, which enhances India's regional standing and supports its goal of fostering a more interconnected and resilient Asia.

As India continues strengthening its ties with ASEAN, the prospects look promising. Modi's 10-point plan, focusing on education, trade, and resilience, is expected to bring tangible benefits to India and ASEAN countries.

ASEAN-India Year of Tourism (2025)

Modi proposed celebrating 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, supported by a $5 million fund. This initiative aims to enhance people-to-people connectivity, emphasizing shared cultural heritage and boosting bilateral tourism. Tourism is a soft power tool and a means to deepen socio-economic ties, especially as tourism has been a significant sector in many ASEAN economies. India seeks to leverage this opportunity to promote cultural diplomacy and bolster local economies by encouraging cross-regional travel and cultural exchanges.

Celebrating a Decade of the Act East Policy

The 10th anniversary of the AEP will be commemorated through youth summits, start-up festivals, hackathons, and music festivals. These events aim to engage the youth and foster innovation within the region, creating a foundation for future collaboration. By nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, India looks to position itself as a critical partner in ASEAN's digital transformation journey. This cultural and intellectual exchange showcases India's advancements and reinforces mutual understanding between India and ASEAN nations.

ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave

India will organize an ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund. This initiative is significant for gender equality, focusing on enhancing women’s representation in STEM fields across the region. It aligns with India's vision of empowering women through education and leadership opportunities. By fostering collaboration in science and technology, India seeks to strengthen its technological ties with ASEAN, promoting inclusive growth.

Doubling Scholarships at Nalanda University

Modi’s plan includes doubling the number of scholarships for ASEAN students at Nalanda University and introducing new ones at agricultural universities in India. This initiative represents India’s commitment to strengthening educational linkages with ASEAN, thereby investing in human capital. Education remains a cornerstone of India’s soft diplomacy, and by welcoming ASEAN students, India aims to build a network of future leaders familiar with Indian culture and values, which can enhance diplomatic ties over the long term.

Review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025

To unlock the economic potential of the ASEAN-India partnership, Modi proposed a review of the existing trade agreement by 2025, reflecting India's ambition to enhance bilateral trade, which has already reached over $130 billion. By optimizing trade agreements, India aims to reduce barriers, increase market access, and address trade imbalances, supporting sustainable economic growth in both regions. This review signals India's intent to remain a vital economic partner for ASEAN amid shifting global trade dynamics.

Enhancing Disaster Resilience

India will contribute an additional $5 million towards regional disaster resilience, reflecting its proactive stance on common regional security. Southeast Asia is prone to natural disasters, and India’s commitment highlights its role as a responsible neighbour willing to assist in crisis management and humanitarian efforts. Enhanced disaster resilience efforts underscore India's strategic priority to ensure regional stability, build trust, and strengthen its influence in ASEAN.

Health Ministers’ Track for Health Resilience

This point involves initiating a Health Ministers' track to build health resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of regional cooperation in health, and this initiative aims to foster joint strategies for health crises. By taking this step, India positions itself as a leader in regional health security, promoting knowledge exchange and strengthening collective response mechanisms. Health resilience is critical to achieving a stable and prosperous ASEAN-India region, aligning with India's vision of mutual prosperity.

ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue

Modi’s plan also includes a regular ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue to boost digital and cyber resilience. This initiative is timely, as cybersecurity is increasingly relevant in today’s interconnected world. By establishing a formal platform for dialogue, India aims to collaborate on addressing cyber threats, promoting digital governance, and fostering trust in the digital economy. Cybersecurity is an area of growing concern, and through this dialogue, India hopes to establish itself as a reliable partner in ASEAN’s digital transformation efforts.

Workshop on Green Hydrogen

India will organize a workshop on green hydrogen, reflecting its commitment to sustainable energy. As ASEAN nations seek to transition to greener energy sources, India’s experience with green hydrogen can provide valuable insights. This initiative aligns with India’s ambitions to be a leader in renewable energy technologies and supports ASEAN countries in achieving their climate goals. India strengthens its economic and environmental partnerships with ASEAN by collaborating on green technologies.

‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ Campaign

Modi invited ASEAN leaders to join the 'Plant a Tree for Mother' campaign to build climate resilience. This initiative symbolizes India's commitment to environmental sustainability and reflects its role in addressing global climate challenges. By engaging ASEAN countries in this campaign, India emphasizes the importance of collective action in combating climate change, fostering regional solidarity and shared responsibility for the environment.

This 10-point framework provides a roadmap for India's more profound engagement with ASEAN, reflecting its aspirations to bolster mutual growth, security, and cultural ties within the region. By emphasizing both traditional and innovative areas of cooperation, Modi's plan aims to ensure that India and ASEAN can collectively navigate the challenges of the 21st century.

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