India-ASEAN alliance crucial for stability, economic growth: EAM

India and ASEAN must address pressing regional and global challenges through a unified approach, highlighting food, health, and security cooperation

November 8, 2024

Mutual consumer demand in both regions fosters robust economic activity and boosts trade, tourism, and mobility sectors

Collaboration on food security is essential, especially given climate change’s impact on agricultural stability

Addressing health security through joint preparedness against future pandemics is increasingly vital

Political challenges, such as Myanmar’s instability, require immediate, collaborative action due to geographic proximity

India and ASEAN’s vast populations create significant potential to address shared contemporary issues, ranging from economic growth to regional security, highlighted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Eighth Roundtable of ASEAN-India Network of Think-Tanks. With ASEAN nations—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—India represents over 25% of the global population. He noted that the partnership’s collaborative economic demand can boost productivity and shape global market dynamics.

Jaishankar underscored how the regions’ consumer preferences and lifestyles are major economic drivers, contributing to enhanced trade, tourism, and connectivity. These elements, he noted, allow for endeavours with an impact extending beyond immediate borders.

Amid intensifying climate events, Jaishankar emphasised the urgency of food security, while the pandemic experience underscores the need for strong health security. With political challenges such as Myanmar’s crisis close at hand, India and ASEAN need rapid, coordinated responses to address humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime safety.

Jaishankar also stressed the importance of nurturing the India-ASEAN relationship, which is deeply rooted in shared cultural and civilisational connections. He highlighted India’s recent contributions to heritage conservation in the region. He noted significant strides made through bilateral and trilateral efforts like the Mekong Ganga Cooperation and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle.

In the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape, India firmly supports ASEAN’s central role. It advocates for the rule of law and international norms to underpin stability and cooperation, seeing these shared values as the foundation for high ambitions in the partnership.

Source: Economic Times

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