Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his “short but very productive visit” to Jakarta, Indonesia, (6- September) and attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18 th East Asia Summit. Indonesia, the current ASEAN Chair was host to the 43rd ASEAN Summit plenary, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) under the overarching theme: “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.

ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit meetings are amongst the most important ASEAN forums from New Delhi’s perspective. As highlighted by Prime Minister Modi himself, the significance of the East Asia Summit lies in its being the sole leaders-led mechanism (ASEAN members and the eight Dialogue Partners) on strategic matters in the Indo-Pacific and its success is driven by ASEAN centrality. The strength of ASEAN is its ability to engage the Major Powers of the world.

The ASEAN–India Summit is an important annual event in ASEAN’s calendar. This year was especially significant for India because it was being held for the first time since the elevation of India-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level in 2022. Its task was to review the progress of India-ASEAN relations up till now and chart the future direction.

Two important Statements were issued as the outcome of ASEAN-India Summit on 7 September 2023: (a) Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation and (b) ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises.

The Chairman’s Statement of the 18th EAS, highlighted diverse issues came up for discussion. The section dealing with ‘Regional and International Issues’ covered the Korean Peninsula, South China Sea, Ukraine, Non Proliferation, Developments in Myanmar, and some Other Matters. Among these, two deserve highlighting i.e. the South China Sea or the maritime issue, and the Myanmar issue.

China’s overreach in the South China Sea issue has become more complicated after Beijing tangled the problem further when it released a new China map claiming additional territories (land and maritime). It had the unintended impact of uniting those whose maritime claims were affected including three ASEAN countries - the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam- and Taiwan- to reject the Chinese baseless cartographic claims. Indonesia failed to utilise this opportunity to galvanise forces against China. Without making a direct reference to the new map, Indonesia as the Chair issued an ‘anodyne statement’ asking all parties to exercise self-restraint.

Prime Minister Modi repeatedly stressed on the need to abide by international law, a rules based order, the 1982 UNCLOS and to conclude an effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. The Indian position on maritime issues was buttressed by the Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation.

Prime Minister in his Opening Remarks at the ASEAN-India Summit, highlighted that ASEAN is the central pillar of India's Act East Policy. Furthermore, New Delhi fully supports ASEAN centrality and ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

It is worth recalling Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI), an Indians initiative that serve to harmonise India's Act East Policy with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

On its part, Indonesia has also sought to promote maritime cooperation. The inaugural ASEAN- India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) was successfully held in the South China Sea in May 2023. The subject of ‘Maritime Cooperation’ was also covered in the Chairman’s Statement at some length.

Prime Minister also presented a 12-point proposal to strengthen India – ASEAN cooperation covering connectivity, digital transformation, trade and economic engagement, addressing contemporary challenges, people-to-people contacts and deepening strategic engagement.

Myanmar issue continued to occupy the attention of the East Asia Summit; but still no concrete solution was forthcoming. Prime Minister Modi in his statement noted that while India’s policy is informed by ASEAN’s views, as a neighbouring country it needs to take into account peace and security on the borders while enhancing connectivity with ASEAN.

An important focus of the ASEAN-India Summit was to increase cooperation in trade and investment. India and ASEAN together constitute the third largest economy in the world but India’s bilateral trade and investment with ASEAN is well below potential. The ASEAN-India Economic

Ministers’ Meeting agreed in August (2023) to complete the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) by 2025. PM Modi used the opportunity in his address to the EAS to highlight some of the prominent issues impacting the Global South, including climate change, cyber security, food security, health, and energy.

The Chairman’s Statement of the 18th EAS referred to the adoption of the EAS Plan of Action (2024-2028) at the EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and covered subjects such as: Environment and Energy, Education, Finance, Global Health and Pandemic Diseases, Disaster Management, ASEAN Connectivity, Economic Cooperation and Trade, and Food Security.

Indonesia and India have closely cooperated under India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo. Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, and India’s presidency of the G-20 can be a force for the good of the Global South. But numerous hurdles must be overcome before regional and plurilateral forums can become effective instruments of State policy.

Dr. Udai Bhanu Singh is Strategic Analyst, formerly with MP-IDSA, New Delhi.