USA -ASEAN Countries Joined to Check China

News Highlights

The USA promised a long-term commitment to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the face of China’s growing clout as he met regional leaders for a first summit in Washington.

Outcome of Summit

• Commitment to raise their relationship
  • The inaugural summit with ASEAN leaders in Washington signalled the start of a “new era” in the cooperation between the two regions.
  • Both parties pledged to transform their alliance from a strategic partnership to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
• Commitments made by USA
  • President Biden of the United States announced $150 million in new regional initiatives.
  • He also announced the appointment of the first full-time US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in almost five years.
    • Since Barack Obama’s presidency, the United States has not had a Senate-confirmed Ambassador to ASEAN.
  • A Coast Guard vessel was also dispatched to the vicinity as part of the US obligations.
    • This will assist counter China’s illicit fishing, as outlined by the US and other regional countries.

Nature of Summit

• Many observers believe the conference was mostly symbolic, with economics being an afterthought.
• The United States’ $150 million pledge pales in comparison to China’s commitment to the region.
• China committed $1.5 billion in development aid to ASEAN over three years in November alone to combat COVID and spur economic recovery.

Ukraine Factor in the Summit

• Critics noted that the declaration on Ukraine did not specifically mention Russia.
• Despite US demands to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesia has asked him to attend the G20 conference in July 2022.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organisation which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states. 
• 1967– ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers ( Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.)

• Bangkok Declaration
  • It was a short, simply-worded document containing just five articles. 
  • It declared the establishment of an Association for Regional Cooperation among the Countries of Southeast Asia to be known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and spelled out the aims and purposes of that Association. 
  • These aims and purposes were about cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields, and in the promotion of regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. 
  • It stipulated that the Association would be open for participation by all States in the Southeast Asian region

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member Nations and Their Capital

• Economic Strength of ASEAN
  • 3rd largest market in the world and 6th largest economy in the world
  • Having FTAs with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand
  • Fourth most popular investment destination globally

Why Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) important for China?

• In China’s economic and strategic interests, ASEAN is crucial.
• The region borders critical communication sea lanes that represent China’s access to the global market, including crucial Middle Eastern oil supplies.
• The region’s relatively tiny nations are economically linked to China and provide numerous opportunities for China to expand its influence and weaken what Chinese strategists see as a US-engineered chain of encirclement around the Chinese mainland.

Why ASEAN important for the USA?

• The United States remains committed to an ASEAN-centered regional architecture, and we fully support the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook.
• The United States’ strategic cooperation with ASEAN is centered on two of our most pressing issues: combating the COVID-19 pandemic and establishing a long-term economic recovery.
•  To date, the US has delivered nearly 23 million vaccine doses and $158 million in emergency COVID-19 support to ASEAN nations. 
• The USA delivers these immunizations without any political or financial strings connected.
• USA engagement also focuses on business opportunities , climate change and countering China’s expansion in the Indo – Pacific region.

India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• India – ASEAN Political Engagement
  • In 2002, ASEAN and India became Summit Partners, then in 2012, Strategic Partners.
  • The “Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative” of India and ASEAN’s “Outlook on Indo Pacific” are very similar.
  • India is convinced that a “cohesive and responsive ASEAN” is necessary for “regional security and growth.”
• India – ASEAN Economic Engagement
  • ASEAN is India’s fourth largest economic partner in general, while India is ASEAN’s seventh largest trading partner, accounting for 10.2% of India’s overall trade.
  • In FY19, India and ASEAN had a total bilateral trade of $ 96.7 billion.
  • By 2022, ASEAN and India have established a trade goal of $200 billion.
  • In 2018, FDI inflows from India recovered significantly, totaling 1.7 billion dollars.

Why Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Important for India?

• Trade and people-to-people relationships have traditionally been the bedrock of India-ASEAN relations, but countering China’s ascent has become a more recent and pressing area of cooperation.
• In contrast to China’s assertive actions, both India and ASEAN want to build a rules-based security architecture for peaceful development in the area.
• Several ASEAN members, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, have territorial disputes with China, and the China factor plays a significant role in the relationship.

Way Forward

• Relations with ASEAN grouping is vital for all three players of the Indo – Pacific region to protect their interest. In the viewpoint of India ASEAN is relevant to check China and explore new economic opportunities through Act East Policy.

Content Source : New Indian Express