LECTURE-5
INDIA AND SOUTH EAST ASIA
Contents
1. India and South East Asia 91
1.1. Myanmar: The Gateway to South East Asia 91
1.2. India-Myanmar Relations 91
1.2.1. Key Visits 92
1.2.2. Trade 92
1.2.3. Development Assistance 92
1.2.4. Security 94
1.2.5. Bilateral Cooperation in Regional/Sub-Regional Context 94
1.2.6. Chinese Involvement in Myanmar 94
1.2.7. Significance of Myanmar 94
1.2.8. What Should India Do? 94
1.3. BIMSTEC 95
1.4. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation 95
2. Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 95
2.1. What is ASEAN? 95
2.2. India and South East Asia 98
2.2.1. Background 98
2.2.2. From Look East to Act East: Evolving Policy Framework 98
2.2.3. The Look East Policy 99
2.2.4. Taking the Look East Forward: Look East 2.0 or the New Look East 99
2.2.5. The Act East: Action and Implementation Oriented Approach to a Wider East 100
2.3. India-Asean 100
2.3.1. India-ASEAN: Recent Developments 101
2.3.2. Trade 101
2.3.3. Investment 102
2.4. RCEP Negotiations: From Trade to Economic Partnership 102
2.4.1. Significance of RCEP 102
2.4.2. RCEP and India’s Current Concerns 103
2.5. Connectivity 104
2.6. Security Factor in the region 104
2.6.1. The South China Sea Disputes 105
2.6.2. India’s Position 106
2.6.3. Need for Further Action 107
2.7. Cultural Ties Between India and South East Asia 107
2.8. India and Singapore 107
2.8.1. Background 107
2.8.2. Trade & Investment 108
2.8.3. Smart Cities 108
2.8.4. Defence Cooperation 108
2.9. India and Vietnam 109
1. India and South East Asia1.1. Myanmar: The Gateway to South East AsiaMap5.1 Myanmar1.2. India-Myanmar RelationsBuddhist heritage.1.2.2. Trade1.2.3. Development Assistance1.2.5. Bilateral Cooperation in Regional/Sub-Regional Context1.2.7. Significance of Myanmar1.2.8. What Should India Do?1.3. BIMSTEC♤ The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) formed in 1997.1.4. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation♤ The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications.2. Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)2.1. What is ASEAN?Map 5.3 ASEAN Members♤ It has evolved into a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its members.♤ It’s secretariat is based in Jakarta.♤ The group has spurred economic integration, signing six free-trade agreements with other regional economies (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea)Map 5.4-ASEAN and Affiliated groups♤ Regional security issues are dealt with through ASEAN or the following ASEAN-led forums ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)-♤ First meeting Held at Bangkok, Thailand, in 1994.East Asia Summit (EAS)ASEAN+32.2. India and South East Asia2.2.1. Background2.2.2. From Look East to Act East: Evolving Policy Framework2.2.3. The Look East Policy2.3. India-Asean♤ India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our foreign policy and the foundation of our Act East Policy.♤ India became a Sectoral Partner of the ASEAN in 1992, Dialogue Partner in 1996 and Summit Level Partner in 2002.♤ India had, in 2015, proposed a $ 1 billion line of credit to promote projects with ASEAN. In addition.♤ Japan had inaugurated an Act East forum with India on 5 December 2017. The forum is also meant to expand cooperation with the Japan in the north east.2.3.2. Trade2.3.3. Investment2.4. RCEP Negotiations: From Trade to Economic Partnership♤ The huge goods trade deficit has led to questions on whether the pact is only helping ASEAN nations and not benefiting India.♤ The RCEP involves negotiations in goods, services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property rights, competition, dispute settlement and other issues like Rules of Origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation measures.♤ The economies of countries involved in RCEP negotiations account for about half of the world's population, and about 30% of the global GDP.o It will deepen its ties with the ASEAN further.2.4.2. RCEP and India’s Current Concerns2.5. ConnectivityASEAN-India connectivity is a priority for India as also the ASEAN countries.♤ A possible extension to India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam is also under consideration.♤ In 2015 PM announced a Line of Credit of US$ 1 billion to promote projects that support physical and digital connectivity between India and ASEAN ando Tri services command in Andaman and NIcobar♤ These island chains are claimed by a number of countries in the region including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.Map 5.5 South China Sea♤ China viewed the principal subject matters in dispute as political and beyond the jurisdiction and competence of the Tribunal.♤ In 2016 a final Award ruled that many of China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea were contrary to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and had thereby violated Philippine sovereign rights and freedoms.♤ More the 55 % of India’s trade passes through the region.♤ By taking a principled stand on the territorial disputes, India must contribute to the restoration of strategic equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific.2.6.3. Need for Further Action:2.7. Cultural Ties Between India and South East Asia♤ India’s soft power is reflected in2.8. India and Singapore2.8.1. Background2.8.2. Trade & Investment2.8.3. Smart Cities2.8.4. Defence Cooperation2.9. India and Vietnam
