Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Indonesia on 6-7 September 2023 to participate in the ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit. His visit is taking place just before the G-20 summit to be held in New Delhi on 9-10 September. When many heads of the world are arriving in their country and just before that the PM is on a foreign tour, then it can be easily understood that how strong India's relations with ASEAN are and how much importance India gives to ASEAN.
ASEAN means Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is an important union of a total of 10 countries. It was formed on 8 August 1967. Earlier, on July 31, 1961, the Association of South-East Asia (ASA) was formed. Its member countries were Thailand, Philippines and Federation of Malaya. When the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines signed the ASEAN Declaration in 1967, the organization got its present name.
America and China are also involved
Its objective was to bring peace, economic, social and cultural development in the region and take care of each other's interests. Now that ASEAN is 56 years old and the number of member countries has increased to 10. The five new countries that joined ASEAN one by one were Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Then China and America also started taking interest in this organization because these countries are small, but their role is very important in the progress of the world. These countries are also very important for India, that is why India has been organizing ASEAN-India summit despite not being a member of it. The secretariat of ASEAN is in the city of Jakarta, Indonesia.
Why is ASEAN important for India?
PM Modi's visit to Indonesia on 6-7 September 2023 further strengthens the fact that these countries hold a very important place for India. ASEAN and all its member countries are strong central pillars of India's Act-East policy. India's permanent dialogue with these countries started in the year 1992, which has become very strong in the present times. Last month, a meeting of Finance Ministers of ASEAN-India was held. The main objective of this meeting was to review the ASEAN-India Goods Trade Agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously emphasizing on better relations with the countries of the Indo-Pacific region. This is the reason why he is going to Indonesia again this year. India's interest in this organization or member countries is the continuous progress of maritime security and trade. ASEAN-India have been close to each other for almost 30 years and political, diplomatic, business relations have strengthened. This relationship of India with ASEAN member countries is not one-sided, they also want India to be with them, that is why India has been called continuously in every conference, despite not being a member.
Why is America with India in ASEAN?
America is standing with India because of China's increasing interest in ASEAN and its natural interest is visible in ASEAN. ASEAN countries have trade dependence on China. America has made its military bases in many of these countries. These countries do not want any kind of threat to their independence. All of them are seeing the growing form of India. Are aware of the ideology of India. That's why everyone has become natural friends. Everyone needs trade, peace, security, in such a situation, India is playing the role of an elder brother to the ASEAN countries.
Why is PM going before G20?
Each member of ASEAN is important for India for different reasons. Singapore is an important link between India and ASEAN. It is also a major economic and strategic partner of India. A large number of Indian companies are doing business there. Thailand is one country that has made good investments in India. Trade between the two countries is continuously increasing. Both are together in many organizations.
India has a big partnership with Vietnam from the defense sector to trade. In the field of science and technology, both the countries are standing with each other. Are helpful. Every member country has a similar relationship with India. There has been expansion in every field. Air connectivity and sea connectivity have also increased. The work of connecting the India-Myanmar-Thailand road is nearing completion. That is why PM Modi is going to Indonesia just two days before the G-20 summit held in New Delhi.
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