18th India-ASEAN Summit

18th India-ASEAN Summit

Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 18th India-ASEAN Summit at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the current Chair of ASEAN.

India –

• Underlined the centrality of ASEAN in India’s Act East Policy and in India’s Vision for the wider Indo-Pacific Vision. 
• On COVID-19, highlighted India’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic in the region and also reiterated support for ASEAN’s initiatives in this regard. India has contributed medical supplies worth USD 200,000 to ASEAN’s humanitarian initiative for Myanmar and USD 1 million for ASEAN’s Covid-19 Response Fund.
• To further strengthen India-ASEAN cultural connectivity: India will support establishing the ASEAN Cultural Heritage List. 
• On trade and investment, underlined the importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains for post-COVID economic recovery and in this regard, the need to revamp the India-ASEAN FTA.

India and ASEAN

• Highlighting the milestone of 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN Partnership, the leaders announced the Year 2022 as India-ASEAN Friendship Year.

• Building upon the synergies between the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), PM and ASEAN leaders welcomed the adoption of the India-ASEAN Joint Statement on cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
• Exchanged views on enhancing India-ASEAN connectivity in broadest terms including physical, digital and people to people. 
• Appreciated India’s role as a trusted partner in the region especially during the current Covid-19 Pandemic with its supply of vaccine. 
• Welcomed India’s support to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific and looked forward to greater India-ASEAN cooperation in the region through the Joint Statement.

Other discussion points

• Covered regional and international issues of common interest and concern, including South China Sea and terrorism. 
• Noted the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region including through upholding adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS. 
• Affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety and security in the South China Sea, and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.

News Source: PIB