It gives me great pleasure to write this message, representing India as ASEAN’s Comprehensive Strategic Partner. Since 1992, 30 years down the lane, the ASEAN has become the heart of the Indo-Pacific. No other region probably is as much discussed, constructively, as Indo-Pacific these days, not only from the geo-political perspectives but also from the perspective of the prime mover of the economic growth for the world.
It gives me great pleasure to write this message, representing India as ASEAN’s Comprehensive Strategic Partner. Since 1992, 30 years down the lane, the ASEAN has become the heart of the Indo-Pacific. No other region probably is as much discussed, constructively, as Indo-Pacific these days, not only from the geo-political perspectives but also from the perspective of the prime mover of the economic growth for the world.
While the world might have started focusing on this region of late, India has the added advantage of its historical linkages, in the ancient, medieval and modern history. This is reflected in our shared values, traditions, languages, texts, architecture, culture, and cuisine.
The relationship matured in stages—it went from sectoral dialogue partnership to full dialogue; then Summit level partnership becoming Strategic, and now Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. When we talk about India making a qualitative shift from the Look East to Act East Policy under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and subsequently announcing and synergising its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative with that of ASEAN’s Outlook, it was also done in harmony with other regional initiatives such as Security and Growth for All in the Region, popularly known as SAGAR. While doing so, India has always recognised and upheld ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has described ASEAN, “the one which always stood tall as a beacon of regionalism, multilateralism and globalisation”.
While India has been expressing itself through policy pronouncements, on the ground, these are getting reflected in our increased interaction with the region. A few facts and figures can illustrate how ASEAN remains the centre of focus for India both at the level of government and people. Our trade for the last financial year (April ’21 to March ’22) has crossed 110 billion US dollars. Cumulative FDI into India from ASEAN since 2000 has been 132 billion US dollars, which is 22 per cent of India’s total inbound investment. Similarly India’s investment into ASEAN since 2000 has been 21 per cent of India’s total outbound investment. Around 18 per cent of India’s outbound tourists visited beautiful ASEAN countries in 2019. India has a 15 per cent strong Indian Diaspora in this region, who acts as a natural bridge between us. We get 8 per cent of inbound tourists from ASEAN and we hope that this shall only increase.
As we have become comprehensive strategic partner of ASEAN, we look forward to deepen our ties in five broad areas. Firstly, maritime security including projects under the Joint Statement on AOIP, disaster management, emergency response; secondly, cyber security, fintech, digital economy; thirdly, sustainable development, renewable energy, smart cities etc.; fourthly, tourism and people-to-people connectivity; and finally regional and global issues of common concern.
I must also say here that we enjoy excellent bilateral relations individually with all ASEAN Member States.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the ASEAN Secretariat under the leadership of Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the Committee of Permanent Representatives for making the ASEAN-India Friendship Year successful. Under the ASEAN-India framework, a lot has happened this year which has been captured precisely by highly professional and dedicated team of The ASEAN magazine. I thank them for bringing a substantial, beautiful and special issue of The ASEAN magazine.
