India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit - Delhi Declaration

Why in news?

• India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit was held recently, marking 25 years of India-ASEAN ties.
• The ‘Delhi Declaration’ was released after the summit.

What are the key mentions?

• MARITIME - ASEAN-India cooperation in the maritime domain was one of the key focus areas.
• Growth and development for the Indo-Pacific region was the prime objective behind this agenda.
• Shared vision for peace and prosperity through a rules-based order for the oceans and seas was emphasized.
• Respect for international law, notably UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) was stressed as critical.
• The reference to freedom of navigation and UNCLOS came in the backdrop of China’s position on the disputed South China Sea.
• Humanitarian and disaster relief, and security cooperation were also agreed as areas of cooperation.
• Support for the implementation of Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) was expressed.
• TERRORISM - Close cooperation among countries for combating terrorism, especially cross border movement of terrorists found mention.
• ECONOMY - The declaration called upon the states to intensify efforts towards finalising the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
• India proposed a framework to ASEAN for cooperation in the blue economy sector.
• It offered to set up digital villages in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
• This would be by utilising the $1 billion line of credit for connectivity.
• Besides, 2019 will be marked as the year of India-ASEAN tourism by both the sides.

Why is India-ASEAN partnership so essential?

• Economic - The demand for goods in Western economies is coming down.
• Also, there could be alterations in employment structures and even loss of jobs in the coming future.
• Digital technologies and the impending Fourth Industrial Revolution could largely drive these changes.
• These call for the south-east Asian region to look deeper within, to develop markets and increase trade for mutual benefits.
• China - Maritime rivalry with China is another challenge which calls for India to develop a strong regional cooperation.
• It includes its territorial claim on the resource-rich South China Sea, OBOR initiative and power struggle in the Indian Ocean.
• Terrorism - ASEAN countries have, in the past few years, been victims of terrorist attacks; Indonesia and Thailand in particular.
• The mention of cross-border terrorism also assumes significance with India's concerns in regards with Pakistan.
• Other non-traditional challenges such as human trafficking, cybercrime and piracy also demands regional cooperation.
• Besides these, India’s cultural and trade ties with Southeast Asia go back 2,000 years.
• India and ASEAN also have a unique opportunity to reap the potential of geographic proximity.  
• The presence of the Indian diaspora in almost all ASEAN nations is another factor requiring partnerships.
• Given all these, India-ASEAN partnership is more an economic and strategic necessity than a choice.

What is the way forward?

• Several commitments to trade and maritime security made in earlier summits remain unfulfilled.
• Some of them are:

1. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
2. connectivity between ASEAN countries and India
3. India’s connectivity through its Northeast to Myanmar and beyond
4. extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
5. Kaladan multimodal highway
6. Tamu-Kalay rail link to Myanmar

• Speeding up efforts on these fronts is essential to make 'Act East Policy' meaningful.

Source: The Wire, The Hindu