Summary: India needs a comprehensive effort to promote a better India-ASEAN relations.
Background:
Indian PM in the recent ASEAN Summit extended his support for the centrality of ASEAN and also to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
What are the challenges in India ASEAN relations?
-
Caught between the rivalry of China and the USA in the Indo-Pacific.
-
ASEAN nations are worried about India joining QUAD as it impacts ASEAN centrality.
-
India’s withdrawal from RCEP and
-
India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is seen as economic inwardness by ASEAN countries, instead of open trade.
ASEAN-India relations are an important pillar of Indo-Pacific. Thus, India should need to build its narrative strongly and convey the same to the members of ASEAN.