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Context

• Prime Minister attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Jakarta on 7 September 2023.

ASEAN-India Summit

• At the ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister held extensive discussions with ASEAN partners on further strengthening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and charting its future course.
• The Prime Minister reaffirmed ASEAN's centrality in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the synergies between India's Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
• He also emphasized the need to complete the review of ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA) in a time-bound manner 

India’s 12-Point Proposal

• The Prime Minister presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India – ASEAN cooperation covering connectivity, digital transformation, trade, and economic engagement, addressing contemporary challenges, people-to-people contacts, and deepening strategic engagement, as follows:

1. Establishing multi-modal connectivity and economic corridor that links South-East Asia-India-West Asia-Europe.
2. Offered to share India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Stack with ASEAN partners.
3. Announced ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future focusing on cooperation in digital transformation and financial connectivity.
4. Announced renewal of support to the Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to act as a knowledge partner for enhancing our engagement.
5. Called for collectively raising issues being faced by Global South in multilateral fora.
6. Invited ASEAN countries to join the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine being established by WHO in India.
7. Called for working together on Mission LiFE.
8. Offered to share India’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines to people through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras.
9. Called for a collective fight against terrorism, terror financing, and cyber-disinformation.
10. Invited ASEAN countries to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
11. Called for cooperation in disaster management.
12. Called for enhanced cooperation on maritime safety, security, and domain awareness.S

• Two Joint Statements, one on Maritime Cooperation, and the other on Food Security were adopted.
• In addition to India and ASEAN Leaders, Timor-Leste participated in the Summit as Observer.

18th East Asia Summit

• At the 18th East Asia Summit, Prime reiterated the importance of the EAS mechanism and reaffirmed our support to further strengthen it.
• Prime Minister Modi underlined India’s support for ASEAN centrality and called for ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• The Prime Minister highlighted synergies of visions for Indo-Pacific between India and ASEAN and underscored that ASEAN is the focal point of Quad’s vision.
• The Prime Minister also called for a cooperative approach to address global challenges including terrorism, climate change, and resilient supply chains for essential items including food and medicines, and for energy security.
• He highlighted India’s steps in the area of climate change and our initiatives such as ISA, CDRI, LiFE, and OSOWOG.
• Leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues.

READ:

ALL ABOUT EAST ASIA SUMMIT:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/east-asia-summit-eas

EAS SUMMIT: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/17th-east-asia-summit-2022

ASEAN: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/asean

ANALYZING ASEAN: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/analyzing-asean

PERSPECTIVES ON THE INDIA-ASEAN SUMMIT:https://www.icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=3&ls_id=4919&lid=1799 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. ASEAN is a key pillar of India’s ‘Act East policy’, what does it mean for the region? Also, shed the role of the East Asia Summit in the Indo-Pacific and the ongoing Geopolitical churn.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1955355