The Mango Flavour: India and ASEAN After a Decade of the Act East Policy, written by India’s former Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, Ambassador Gurjit Singh, explores three decades of ASEAN-India relations and the evolution of India’s Act East Policy. Drawing from Ambassador Singh’s diplomatic experience, he examines how this policy has shaped cooperation with ASEAN along the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions.
Speaking at the book launch, Ambassador of India to ASEAN Srinivas Gotru, said: “His book reflects the journey that we’ve had so far and challenges us to think about the road ahead and how India and ASEAN can strengthen engagement especially in a year that’s shaped by shifting power dynamics, challenges on climate, digital transformation and rising aspirations of our people.”
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya Soeprapto noted: “Tracing back the remarkable journey of ASEAN-India partnership, it is evident that the partnership has grown rapidly and comprehensively over the years, since India’s formal engagement with ASEAN as a sectoral partner. ASEAN-India cooperation has steadily evolved, upgrading to substantive, meaningful, and mutually beneficial strategic partnerships across diverse areas of the corporation.”
Like a mango tree, ASEAN-India partnership should be tended and savoured, DSG Soeprapto added. This will ensure that cooperation will bear fruit and deliver mutual growth and prosperity.
