Reference Article: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance:
– GS Paper II: International Relations — India & Neighbourhood, India and ASEAN, Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Dynamics
– Essay Paper: India’s Foreign Policy; Balancing Bilateralism and Multilateralism
– GS Paper III: Maritime Security, Trade & Blue Economy
India’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been a cornerstone of its “Act East Policy”, which builds on cultural linkages, trade potential, and strategic proximity.
Since becoming a Dialogue Partner in 1995 and elevating ties to Summit Level in 2002, India has viewed ASEAN as both a gateway to the Indo-Pacific and a counterbalance to China’s assertiveness.
The annual ASEAN and East Asia Summits thus serve as vital platforms for India to deepen diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation — while also engaging with global powers such as the U.S., China, Japan, Australia, and Russia.
Highlights of the 2025 ASEAN–India Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing virtually, reaffirmed ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific, describing the 21st century as “the century of India and ASEAN.”
Key announcements included:
- 2026 designated as the Year of ASEAN–India Maritime Cooperation, with a focus on:
- Maritime security and surveillance
- Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Response (HADR)
- Blue economy and sustainable ocean governance
- Commitment to finalise the review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to strengthen trade balance and efficiency.
At the East Asia Summit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted global complexities — criticizing:
- The U.S. for selective application of trade principles and restrictions on Russian energy trade.
- China for supply chain unreliability and market access barriers.
The statement projected India’s nuanced approach — strategic autonomy, balancing cooperation without alignment.
Significance of ASEAN for India
| Dimension | Importance |
|---|---|
| Strategic | Anchors India’s Indo-Pacific vision and supports freedom of navigation |
| Economic | ASEAN is India’s 4th largest trading partner; crucial for supply chain diversification |
| Security | Cooperation on counterterrorism, maritime piracy, and regional stability |
| Diplomatic | Provides a multilateral stage to balance relations with China & U.S. |
| Cultural | Shared civilizational ties and people-to-people connect |
The ASEAN framework also underpins India’s Quad outreach, whose modern revival (2017) occurred on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, underscoring ASEAN’s role as the pivot of Indo-Pacific diplomacy.
The Optics of Absence — A Diplomatic Miss
Despite the strong statements, Mr. Modi’s absence from the 2025 summit — his second consecutive non-attendance — attracted diplomatic attention.
Officially attributed to festive season engagements, the explanation was viewed as unconvincing since summit schedules are pre-fixed.
Possible underlying reasons speculated include:
- Domestic political commitments (Bihar Assembly campaign)
- Lingering India–Malaysia tensions, due to Kuala Lumpur’s past pro-Pakistan remarks and recent bilateral frictions
- Geopolitical calculation linked to U.S. presence and trade deal sensitivities
However, regardless of reason, the absence was seen as a missed symbolic opportunity — particularly when other leaders such as President Biden and President Xi Jinping marked their presence, signalling strong regional commitment.
Analytical Perspective
- Substance without symbolism weakens India’s diplomatic visibility.
- Presence matters in summit diplomacy — absence can be read as disengagement, especially when India positions itself as a pillar of the Indo-Pacific.
- ASEAN centrality thrives on consistent participation; therefore, strategic consistency must be maintained even amid domestic pressures.
- India’s long-term credibility in regional architecture depends as much on continuity of engagement as on policy articulation.
Conclusion
The 2025 ASEAN Summit highlighted both India’s strategic maturity in policy articulation and a tactical lapse in diplomatic presence.
While India’s commitments to maritime cooperation and trade reform reaffirm its regional role, summit diplomacy is as much about optics as outcomes.
To uphold ASEAN centrality and sustain its Indo-Pacific vision, India must blend articulation with active attendance, ensuring its voice is not just heard virtually, but felt geopolitically.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
“India’s growing convergence with ASEAN reflects strategic foresight, but its episodic engagement undermines the optics of leadership. Discuss in the context of the 2025 ASEAN–India Summit.”
