Round The World

New Delhi, 17 July 2012

India-ASEAN Ties

 CHINA SPELLS TROUBLE FOR REGION

By Monish Tourangbam

Research Scholar, School of International Studies (JNU)

India is seeking to increase the economic robustness of its ties with the ten-nation ASEAN. Towards that end, it sought early conclusion of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in services and investments at the 10^th Ministerial meeting held recently in Phnom Penh, A natural step after signing and implementing a FTA in goods.

Indeed, as the West grapples with its economic woes, further enhancing economic links between India and ASEAN countries assumes relevance and urgency. Notwithstanding, a weak global economy, so far, expectations have been met with India-ASEAN two-way trade registering US $ 80 billion in 2011-12.

Notably, a number of project proposals are being finalised by ASEAN’s Secretariat. Indeed, with Myanmar in the throes of reformist churning, more opportunities await and New Delhi is well-poised to garner benefits. Provided the policy paralysis in the country does not play spoilsport.

Remember, Myanmar is India’s gateway to South-East Asia whereby land connectivity to its markets could be operationalised by greater regional understanding. Thus, the proposed trilateral highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand, with plans of later linking it to Vietnam requires serious deliberations among the leaders.

Importantly, New Delhi’s increasing convergence with ASEAN nations is a vital pillar of India’s foreign policy and assumes increasing importance as New Delhi tries to engineer a strategy that makes it an important power to reckon with beyond the confines of South Asia.

Asserted Foreign Minister Krishna, “India's relationship with ASEAN is a key cornerstone of our foreign policy and foundation of our Look East Policy. We have attempted to anchor this within the larger context of Asia as an engine for global growth and prosperity.”

Towards, re-energizing its Look East Policy, India has sought to strengthen ties with all ASEAN countries thereby creating a symbiotic relationship in its bilateral relations with individual countries and organisation at large.

As New Delhi strives to reorient its foreign policy in accordance with its long term vision of a resourceful India with increased zone of influence, India-ASEAN cooperation acquires vital importance. Whereby, it not only increases its convergences with South-East Asia across many issues, minus strategic constraints but also significantly increasing its area of maneouverability.

Thus, giving potent leverage by offering coordinated restraint towards China’s aggression in the region. Moreover, globalization has further increased the salience of regional organisations, with economies within the region and beyond becoming more inter-connected.

Needless to say, 2008 global financial meltdown which began in US and Euro zone’s current crisis crippling the European Union has had viral-like repercussions world-wide. Making it imperative for countries to band together, moving beyond the conventional zone of interest.

In fact, the regularity of India-ASEAN meetings and the substantial importance given to this format among leaders in each of these countries provides opportunities to build on achievements and iron out differences.

The trajectory of this relationship has been encouraging with relations having diversified, covering political and security dimensions. India has been an active participant of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) which also held its 19^th Ministerial Meeting recently.

Pertinently, 2012 marks two decades of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership and ASEAN leaders and Ministers will hold a special ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December at New Delhi. Adding substance to India-ASEAN ties, the Delhi Dialogue has become a regular calendar diplomatic event for track 1.5 level inter-face between India and ASEAN, with the last being held in February 2012 and the next scheduled for February next year.

Besides, the first ASEAN-India Network of Think Tank is slated to meet in India on 7 August. In fact, the meeting of the Heads of Space Agencies of India and ASEAN countries in Bengaluru last month saw progress for establishing a Tracking and Data Reception Station and a Data Processing Facility for ASEAN and Training of ASEAN Personnel in Space Science and Technology.

But, all is not well within ASEAN with cracks developing over the contentious South China Sea which is witnessing heated diplomatic wrangling. This resource rich region is being claimed in whole or in part by Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and China.

Indeed, China’s increased aggression in the region (even claiming absolute sovereignty) threatens to opens fissures with external powers including India and US interested in preserving openness and transparency of international waters for commerce.

Recent efforts at soothing tension over the South China Sea ended in failure as Cambodia, currently ASEAN’s President, stalled progress on a draft code of conduct in the South China Sea region.  Resulting in the 10 leaders dispensing with the customary joint statement, unprecedented in ASEAN’s 45 year existence.

Talks were stuck as Cambodia (seen as China’s ally) opposed the mention of a recent China-Philippines standoff over a rocky outcrop called Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Also, Vietnam wanted to mention the need to respect the exclusive economic zone along-with the Continental shelves in the sea.  Recall, Beijing has vehemently opposed New Delhi’s plans to explore energy in the region in partnership with Vietnam.  

Philippines objected to Cambodia’s bilateral understanding with China which went against the ASEAN norm of resolving disputes as a unit.  Undeniably, China has deep economic links with all major countries in the region but economic ties including with India have not translated in to better understanding on issues of strategic importance. Add to this, tensions over the East China Sea particularly over a group of islands called Senkaku in Japanese (Diaoyu in Chinese) which are claimed by both China and Japan.

Bringing things to such a pass, that Tokyo recalled its Ambassador to China for consultations as the row deepened with Japan lodging two separate complaints after Chinese vessels entering this resource-rich region.  True, the rise of China across a broad spectrum of power parameters is indisputable but the international community is concerned as to what kind of Beijing they will see in future.

Irrefutably, the “Peaceful Rise of China” propaganda has been exposed as nothing but propaganda. Add to this, the search for resources to feed growing economies has made matters more complex, due to contested sovereignty over resource rich areas and the need to preserve transparent international commerce and freedom of navigation.

All in all, as tension reigns within ASEAN and in its negotiations with China over contested waters, India and US need to use their influence with these countries to impress upon the need for settling disputes diplomatically pursuant to the international law of the sea. New Delhi’s success with ASEAN and South-East Asian Capitals bilaterally is germane to the growth and sustenance a stable Asia. ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)