Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)

With Prime Minister Modi emphasizing India’s commitment to the early conclusion of a balanced and comprehensive Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at the ASEAN-India Breakfast Summit in Singapore in November 2018, India has clearly articulated the importance of trade and investment in enhancing prosperity and security of the Indo-Pacific.

• Udai Bhanu Singh
• December 04, 2018
• Backgrounder

Reciprocity and mutual understanding on common concerns will help both ASEAN and India to overcome some of the challenges facing their relationship.

• Sampa Kundu
• February 01, 2018
• IDSA Comments

A stronger partnership and enhanced cooperation should be prioritised by both sides if the full potential of this engagement is to be realised.

• Ashok Sajjanhar
• January 04, 2018
• IDSA Comments

Southeast Asia’s international shipping lanes (ISL) are essential to the economic security of the Asia-Pacific region. Maintaining good order at sea serves to protect regional trade and can be achieved through collaboration between civil maritime security agencies (coast guards). Japan and China both have significant coast guard capabilities and diplomatic influence in the region that could be harnessed to promote civil maritime security cooperation with the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

• James D. Llewelyn
• January 2017
• Strategic Analysis

In the last two months, the large-scale exodus of Rohingyas towards the coastlines of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia has been a concern not only for the region but also for the international community.

• Sampa Kundu
• May 29, 2015
• Issue Brief

This article examines how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conflict management process in the South China Sea (SCS) has been conducted and whether the ASEAN way can effectively manage the dispute, in which China is a prime and important actor. It argues that rising tensions in the South China Sea are a direct result of the changed balance of power in the region given the asymmetry between China and ASEAN members. China has taken advantage of ASEAN efforts to develop a code of conduct that is premised on the ASEAN way.

• Munmun Majumdar
• January 2015
• Strategic Analysis

Regionalism has been an important force in international relations since 1945. The aim of this article is to make an assessment of one of the major regional organisations from the Asia Pacific, the ASEAN, or Association of South East Asian Nations. The article attempts to give readers an overview of the problems and prospects of the ASEAN. Although the ASEAN has been successful to a large extent as a regional body, regionalism in South East Asia has been considerably undermined by a number of factors since its creation in 1967.

• Kunal Mukherjee
• November 2013
• Strategic Analysis

This policy brief discusses some of the key trends in the Asia Pacific and sets out a long-term approach for India so as to maximise its security and developmental opportunities.

• Arvind Gupta
• September 19, 2013
• Policy Brief

The China-ASEAN strategic partnership marked its 10th year recently but given China’s maritime assertiveness in South China Sea, mistrust remains between China and ASEAN, prompting many to review China’s rise.

• Jagannath P. Panda
• August 07, 2013
• IDSA Comments

The Kingdom of Cambodia, chair and host of the 10 member-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hosted the second ASEAN Summit in its Peace Palace building at Phnom Penh from July 9-13. The Summit convened its signature assemblage—the 45th ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Meeting (AMM)/Post Ministerial Conference (PMC). Apart from this annual feature, the Summit also saw the participation of ASEAN partners from 17 countries under the aegis of 19th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), 13th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) and the 2nd East Asia Summit (EAS).

• Preeti Nalwa
• July 30, 2012
• IDSA Comments