Akshay AgrawalAIR 43 · CSE 2018 · 180 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
ASEAN forms the central region in the Indo-pacific and its importance in the region is for both economic and strategic reasons for India. Economic dimensions:
Body · points
map showing India and Southeast Asia (ASEAN region).
- India: Western part of the map.
- ASEAN: A box highlighting the region in Southeast Asia.
Economic dimensions:
- Singapore is one of the biggest investors in India (FDI).
- Trade with ASEAN is also one of our biggest trading partners. Connectivity to NE.
- Our exports pass through the Malacca strait in the region.
- ASEAN is a big market for India's goods and services, tourism.
Strategic:
- ASEAN is important given its location connecting Indian and Pacific oceans. Also add keywords: freedom of navigation.
- China's influence on ASEAN region needs to be checked given its aggressive stance in South China sea.
However, our relations with ASEAN have not been so strong due to:
- China's BRI of which ASEAN countries are big subscribers, especially poor countries like Laos & Myanmar.
- Trade imbalances in favour of ASEAN. ASEAN also trades much more with China.
- RCEP's stalled negotiations over service trade liberalisation.
Close · a way forward
India must maintain its relationship with ASEAN, banking on its cultural ties, Indian diaspora and increasing economic ties.
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