Asean

12/4/2016

OneN ote Onli ne

 ASEAN 07 February 2016

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Outcome of India-ASEAN Summit: adopted a document aiming at politically politically cohesive, cohesive, • ASEAN-India adopted economically economically integrated, socially responsible and people oriented people centered ASEAN-India Community. recognizes the vital importance importance of the planned planned review of the • The document recognizes  ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (AITIG) Agreement. It seeks to ensure that the agreement is trade-facilitative and remains relevant to the current global trading practices. • The document also emphasizes emphasizes the importance importance of maintaining maintaining peace, security and stability, unimpeded commerce, freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea. need for a coordinated response response from the ASEAN ASEAN member • Emphasis on the need nations to combat terror How different is India's new "Act East" policy compared to "Look  East" policy. Critically analyse the merits and shortcomings of Act East policy. (200 Words) India's Look East policy is concerned with giving importance to eastern neighbours of the country by building better ties with them and improving trade relations. However India's Act East policy goes one step further and encourages a proactive role for role for India to play in its eastern neighbourhood. This include assuming leadership position by reinvigorating platforms such as BIMSTEC and  working actively on infrastructure infrastructure connectivity issues. Connecting North East region to Sittwe port in Myanmar and Chittagong port in Bangladesh, focusing on India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and Kaladan Multi-Model Transport Project are some of the projects which have received push under the Act East Policy. In addition, India is capitalizing on its soft power and by cultural link through Buddhism to build better relations with the eastern neighbours. Merits: 1. It makes the North east an integral part part of India's India's foreign policy. The region  will be the main beneficiary and primary actor in the policy. 2. It identifies the economic economic and geo-political geo-political importance importance of of South East East Asian countries. 3. Possibilities of Free Trade Agreements Agreements - Easy Easy movement movement of people people and money (investments). This will be linked with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) countries which will give further https://onedriv https://onedrive.li e.live.com/vi ve.com/vi ew.aspx?cid=4cdcd8b94bd ew.aspx?cid=4cdcd8b94bde3e4 e3e47&id=documents&resi 7&id=documents&resi d=4CD CD8B94 CD 8B94BDE3E47%2 BDE3E47%211 1115&app=OneNote&au 15&app=OneNote&authkey=!ADr thkey=!ADr kBHdyNwN kBHdyN wNq… q…

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 boost [especially services]. Trade with ASEAN expected to reach 100 billion: Counter EU slowdown. Manufacturing in CMLV: Employment generation, HRD development, Export potentials The vast untapped natural resources and energy of the region, might prove promising. The countries have common interests in securing their sea, following international laws of navigation, issues of smuggling, piracy and exploitation of ocean resources. Active engagement with Myanmar and Bangladesh in tackling issues like drug trafficking, smuggling, etc. in North East of India. Also people to people contacts will be enhanced by various planned transport linkages. India can leverage its cultural connections to maximum to involve these nations more actively in organizations like BIMSTEC and Ganga Mekong Corporation. Our centuries old cultural and religious engagement are basic ground for required trust.

Some challenges: 1. The issue of smuggling of drugs, goods and arms if we open our north east is not addressed. 2. Growing influence of china in the region. Sagarmala and Project Mausam are good initiatives and not overtly opposing String of Pearls or Maritime Silk Route. The entire stretch of Indian Ocean from the Gulf to Malacca are strategic points for both India and China.

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