ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was formed on 8 August 1967.

Members (10)

1. Myanmar (Burma)
2. Laos
3. Cambodia
4. Vietnam
5. Indonesia
6. Philippines
7. Singapore
8. Thailand
9. Brunei
10. Malaysia

Objective:

Accelerating economic growth,

                   social progress,

                   sociocultural evolution

                   protection of regional stability

                   providing a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.

ASEAN shares land borders with India, China, Bangladesh, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea, and maritime borders with India, China, and Australia.

Why in News?

• 13th ASEAN Summit in Kualalumpur (Capital of Malaysia)
• Narendra Modi Attended

<<Optional Reading material>>

Narendra Modi said-   "Going further, I want to assure you that India is committed to protect Intellectual Property Rights of all innovators." (the Hindu)

"Our major ports witnessed 4.65% growth in traffic and 11.2% increase in operating income in 14-15 despite a global contraction in trade," Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi stated "We have begun institutional and structural reforms - in agriculture, housing, transport, financial inclusion, investment."

Article 2: the Hindu

Brushing aside dispute over the South China Sea, China on Friday called for the fuller economic integration with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), steered by the Nanning - Singapore Economic Corridor

ASEAN to transform into a community:

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was proclaimed a community through a declaration signed by the ASEAN leaders at its 27th Summit here on Sunday. The leaders stated that this was a historic development and an important milestone in the evolution of the 10-member grouping since its founding in 1967.

Simultaneously, the leaders endorsed “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” which charts the path for community building over the next 10 years. The forward-looking road map articulates the ASEAN goals and aspirations to realise “consolidation, integration and stronger cohesiveness as a community.”

Both the declarations were endorsed by the ASEAN leaders in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, among others.

At ASEAN, Modi brings up South China Sea issue (21st Nov 2015)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a passing reference to the disputes in the South China Sea in his address at the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

"India hopes that all parties to the disputes in the South China Sea will abide by the guidelines on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and redouble efforts for early adoption of a Code of Conduct on the basis of consensus," the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Modi also emphasised the need for evolving specific plans of cooperation in maritime security, counter-piracy and humanitarian and disaster relief.

Trade ties top Modi’s agenda at Asean meet (21st Nov, 2015)

It is really going to be an Act East policy: Wadhwa

In a recent series of Facebook posts, the Prime Minister said that his scheduled visits to Malaysia and Singapore were “aimed at making our economic ties with these nations stronger and to also strengthen the security cooperation between us”.  The Asean today is India’s fourth largest trading partner. India, in turn, is the sixth largest partner for Asean.

The Asean today is India’s fourth largest trading partner. India, in turn, is the sixth largest partner for Asean. 

The Asean-India strategic partnership was stated to have acquired further momentum after the enunciation of the “Act East Policy” by Mr. Modi at the 12th Asean-India Summit in November 2014. “Our trade and investment flows are substantially growing. Yet, we want to further scale up our trade and economic ties,” Mr. Modi stated. At the Asean-India Summit, leaders are expected to take note of the new Plan of Action (2016-2020) to further cooperation along the politico-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars.

The India Story, in word & deed (24th Nov, 2015)

On his visit to Kuala Lumpur to attend the ASEAN-India summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in familiar form, pitching India as an investment destination to the East Asian countries.

He also offered specific opportunities to ASEAN countries on investing in infrastructure in India, particularly in Metro Rail systems, housing, road, rail and waterways. 

India, ASEAN can be ‘great partners’: Modi (12th Nov, 2014)

As India seeks to deepen its engagement with the 10-nation bloc of small and medium economies, Modi said both India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are keen to enhance their cooperation in advancing balance, peace and stability in the region.

“The ASEAN community is India’s neighbour. We have ancient relations of trade, religion, culture, art and traditions. We have enriched each other through our interaction. This constitutes a strong foundation of a modern relationship,” Modi said in his opening statement in Hindi at the 12th India—ASEAN summit in the Myanmarese capital.