India’s Turn to the East: PM Modi at the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits
This essay critically appraises Dr. Rajaram Panda’s article, “PM Modi’s Participation in ASEAN-India and East Asia Summit” (Eurasia Review, October 14, 2024), and argues that Prime Minister Modi’s participation in these summits highlights India’s strategic role in Southeast Asia, emphasising regional security, economic cooperation, and digital transformation, at a pivotal moment for the “Act East Policy” amid growing geopolitical challenges.
Introduction
On October 10-11, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit held in Vientiane, Laos. This summit came at a critical juncture for India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. These meetings involved ASEAN’s ten member nations—Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos—and several dialogue partners, including India. This essay critically analyses the key themes addressed during these summits, focusing on regional security issues, economic cooperation, digital transformation, and India’s growing role in Southeast Asia.
Context of the Summits
The 2024 ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits were held against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions in various parts of the world, including the South China Sea and Myanmar. In Southeast Asia, the conflict in Myanmar and China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea were central to the discussions. The participation of several new national leaders at the summit, including Thailand’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba, underscored the importance of regional cooperation amidst these global shifts.
For India, these summits held significant importance. India’s “Act East Policy,” which has been in place for a decade, emphasises its commitment to strengthening ties with Southeast Asia. Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has expanded its involvement in the region, and the 2024 summits marked a critical point in the evolution of ASEAN-India relations. Additionally, Modi’s participation in these summits symbolised two major milestones in India’s diplomatic history: the 30th anniversary of India’s “Look East” policy and the 10th anniversary of the “Act East” policy. These policies reflect India’s long-standing commitment to regional integration, while the present geopolitical environment has evolved into one of greater tension, particularly between the U.S. and China.
Myanmar and Regional Security Concerns
One of the most pressing issues discussed at the summit was the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, where a civil war has raged since the military ousted the civilian government in February 2021. The ASEAN group has faced criticism for its inability to mediate the conflict effectively, with some members perceiving its efforts as fatigued and ineffective. The presence of a high-ranking diplomat from Myanmar at this year’s summit, after ASEAN barred political representatives from Myanmar in 2021, signals a compromise that underscores the difficulties ASEAN faces in addressing internal regional conflicts.
PM Modi’s approach to this crisis involved advocating for dialogue and peaceful resolution. India’s stance reflects its broader strategy of non-intervention but emphasises the need for stability and peace in the region. India has played a balanced role, respecting ASEAN’s principles of non-interference while supporting initiatives that promote peace. India’s expanding military cooperation, such as with the Philippines, reflects its growing assertiveness in Southeast Asian security matters, particularly regarding China’s influence.
The South China Sea issue was another topic that dominated discussions. China’s aggressive territorial claims have increased tensions in this critical waterway, which sees a significant portion of global trade. Several ASEAN members, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, have overlapping territorial claims with China and have experienced escalating confrontations. Despite these challenges, the summit revealed that many ASEAN nations prioritise maintaining strong economic ties with China over confronting it on territorial disputes. India’s strategy, articulated through PM Modi’s participation, emphasised a free and open Indo-Pacific, calling for adherence to international laws and peaceful dispute resolution. India’s role in the Indo-Pacific security framework, particularly through its participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), aligns with its efforts to balance Chinese influence in the region. Modi’s reaffirmation of India’s opposition to Chinese expansionism was a defining moment of the summit.
Economic Cooperation and Digital Transformation
A major focus of the 2024 ASEAN-India Summit was economic cooperation. Over the past decade, trade between ASEAN and India has grown significantly, surpassing $130 billion. This growth reflects the success of India’s economic initiatives with Southeast Asia. However, India’s trade deficit with the region has continued to grow, now standing at approximately $44 billion. At the summit, PM Modi underscored the importance of continuing this trend by emphasising the need to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025. This agreement aims to streamline trade between India and ASEAN, potentially unlocking even greater economic benefits.
In addition to trade, digital transformation was a key theme at the summit. The digital economy offers vast opportunities for both India and ASEAN nations, and PM Modi proposed sharing India’s expertise in digital infrastructure, such as the Aadhaar biometric system and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The adoption of a joint statement on advancing digital transformation reflects a shared recognition of the role technology will play in future growth. By fostering digital public infrastructure and technological cooperation, India positions itself as a leader in the digital sphere, offering Southeast Asia a model for innovation and digital inclusion.
India also committed to establishing the ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future. This initiative will support joint activities in various digital sectors, such as financial technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The goal is to promote sustainable economic development while ensuring that digital initiatives address emerging challenges, such as the need for data privacy and protection against cyber threats.
India’s Leadership in Technological and Cybersecurity Collaboration
One of the standout aspects of India’s engagement at the 2024 summit was its leadership in technological cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The summit’s focus on AI highlighted the need for ASEAN nations to embrace technological advancements while ensuring ethical use and governance of AI systems. PM Modi proposed sharing India’s expertise in AI, helping ASEAN countries develop the necessary workforce and digital infrastructure to thrive in this emerging field.
In the realm of cybersecurity, the establishment of an ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing growing digital threats. As cyberattacks and digital vulnerabilities increase, the need for enhanced coordination between India and ASEAN nations becomes critical. This dialogue aims to share best practices, build joint defenses, and create a framework for responding to cyber threats. India’s proactive role in this space not only strengthens regional security but also solidifies its position as a key player in Southeast Asia’s digital future.
Cultural and Educational Ties
In addition to economic and technological cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges were highlighted as crucial elements of the ASEAN-India relationship. The decision to celebrate 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism reflects a shared commitment to deepening people-to-people connections. PM Modi announced the doubling of scholarships for ASEAN students at Nalanda University, an initiative aimed at fostering greater educational collaboration.
Nalanda University holds symbolic significance in this regard. Its revival as a center of knowledge exchange between India and Southeast Asia mirrors historical ties and highlights the shared cultural heritage of the region. By promoting educational opportunities, India seeks to strengthen its soft power in Southeast Asia and foster mutual understanding.
India’s Role in Regional Security
India’s participation in the East Asia Summit also focused on regional security issues. PM Modi’s contributions aligned with India’s broader strategic interests in promoting peace and stability, especially in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), proposed by India, underscores its commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation, maritime security, and sustainable economic development in the region. The IPOI, with its seven pillars including maritime security, resource sharing, and disaster management, reflects India’s holistic approach to regional security.
PM Modi’s leadership at the summit emphasised India’s alignment with ASEAN’s goals of maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, which is critical to countering China’s assertive actions in the region. India’s involvement in military exercises like Malabar, alongside other Quad nations, further demonstrates its role as a security partner for Southeast Asian nations.
Conclusion
The 2024 ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits marked a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of India’s relations with Southeast Asia. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India demonstrated its commitment to deepening ties with ASEAN through economic cooperation, digital innovation, and regional security initiatives. The discussions at the summit highlighted the growing importance of the ASEAN-India partnership in addressing regional challenges, such as the conflict in Myanmar and China’s territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.
As India continues to strengthen its Act East Policy, the summits provide a roadmap for future cooperation. Whether through advancing digital transformation, fostering people-to-people connections, or enhancing regional security, India’s role in Southeast Asia is likely to grow. The ASEAN-India partnership, as reaffirmed at these summits, will be crucial in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region and ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in an increasingly complex global environment. The successful outcomes of these summits reflect India’s rising influence on the global stage and its strategic role in the region’s future development.
