📝 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
🔸 the twenty-seven-member multilateral grouping was developed to facilitate cooperation on political and security issues to contribute to regional confidence-building and preventive diplomacy.
🔸 First meeting Held at Bangkok, Thailand, in 1994.
🔸 It includes ASEAN and 10 dialogue partners i.e Australia, Canada, China, the European
Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, and the United States. Also included are the Papua New Guinea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan,Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
🔸Unique among international organizations of its type, the ARF is characterized by minimal institutionalization, decision making by consensus, and the use of both “first track” (official) and “second track” (nonofficial) diplomacy.
🔸 the twenty-seven-member multilateral grouping was developed to facilitate cooperation on political and security issues to contribute to regional confidence-building and preventive diplomacy.
🔸 First meeting Held at Bangkok, Thailand, in 1994.
🔸 It includes ASEAN and 10 dialogue partners i.e Australia, Canada, China, the European
Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, and the United States. Also included are the Papua New Guinea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan,Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
🔸Unique among international organizations of its type, the ARF is characterized by minimal institutionalization, decision making by consensus, and the use of both “first track” (official) and “second track” (nonofficial) diplomacy.
📝 East Asia Summit (EAS)
🔸Established in 2005, EAS is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 (10+8). It seeks to promote security and prosperity in the region and is usually attended by the heads of state from ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.
🔸 It has evolved as a forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture.
🔸Established in 2005, EAS is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 (10+8). It seeks to promote security and prosperity in the region and is usually attended by the heads of state from ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.
🔸 It has evolved as a forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture.
📝ASEAN+3
🔸 The ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation process began in December 1997 with the convening of an Informal Summit among the Leaders of ASEAN and China, Japan and the South Korea.
🔸The APT Summit was institutionalised in 1999 when the Leaders issued a Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation at the Third APT Summit in Manila.
🔸 The ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation process began in December 1997 with the convening of an Informal Summit among the Leaders of ASEAN and China, Japan and the South Korea.
🔸The APT Summit was institutionalised in 1999 when the Leaders issued a Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation at the Third APT Summit in Manila.
📝 India and South East Asia
🔶 Background
🔸 India and South East Asia have age old cultural and civilisation ties. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam spread from India to the region and the imprint of this shared cultural heritage is also seen in art forms and architecture.
🔸Geography played an important role in the maritime connectivity through the Monsoon.
🔸British colonial period saw many from India to migrate to the region and the Indian National Army received support from this region.
🔸Cold war period saw estrangement as the region came under the American influence and India charted its own path. Nonetheless Indonesia was an important part of the NAM.
🔸 The End of Cold war brought new orientation and India moved ahead with the “ Look East Policy” to cement ties with the region
🔶 Background
🔸 India and South East Asia have age old cultural and civilisation ties. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam spread from India to the region and the imprint of this shared cultural heritage is also seen in art forms and architecture.
🔸Geography played an important role in the maritime connectivity through the Monsoon.
🔸British colonial period saw many from India to migrate to the region and the Indian National Army received support from this region.
🔸Cold war period saw estrangement as the region came under the American influence and India charted its own path. Nonetheless Indonesia was an important part of the NAM.
🔸 The End of Cold war brought new orientation and India moved ahead with the “ Look East Policy” to cement ties with the region
📝The Look East Policy
🔸Under PM Narasimha Rao & finance minister Manmohan Singh, India initiated upon the “look east policy”-The principal aim of the policy was to pursue a policy of active engagement with countries of South East Asia. Primary focus of this policy was the fast growing economies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its member-countries, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Factors responsible for India’s Look East Policy:
🔸Collapse of Soviet Union- the collapse of India’s long term ally left India isolated on the International arena. Moreover,the gulf crisis, the spike in oil prices, the collapse of rupee-rubal agreement, all left India on its own, without an ally on the international scene.This made search for new partners imperative.
🔸Balance of Payment crisis-The BoP crisis & the conditions imposed upon it for obtaining loans from IMF resulted in India opening up its market by reducing tariffs to the world.Thus providing a ready market for goods.
🔸Under PM Narasimha Rao & finance minister Manmohan Singh, India initiated upon the “look east policy”-The principal aim of the policy was to pursue a policy of active engagement with countries of South East Asia. Primary focus of this policy was the fast growing economies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its member-countries, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Factors responsible for India’s Look East Policy:
🔸Collapse of Soviet Union- the collapse of India’s long term ally left India isolated on the International arena. Moreover,the gulf crisis, the spike in oil prices, the collapse of rupee-rubal agreement, all left India on its own, without an ally on the international scene.This made search for new partners imperative.
🔸Balance of Payment crisis-The BoP crisis & the conditions imposed upon it for obtaining loans from IMF resulted in India opening up its market by reducing tariffs to the world.Thus providing a ready market for goods.
📝The Act East: Action and Implementation
🔶Oriented Approach to a Wider
East
🔸The Look East Policy has today matured into a dynamic and action oriented ‘Act East Policy PM at the 12th ASEAN India Summit and the 9th East Asia Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw,Myanmar, in November, 2014, formally enunciated the Act East Policy.
🔸 India's Act East Policy focusses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region.
🔸The policy which was originally conceived as an economic initiative, has gained political,strategic and cultural dimensions including establishment of institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation.
🔸India has upgraded its relations to strategic partnership with Indonesia, Vietnam,Malaysia, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, Singapore and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and forged close ties with all countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
🔶Oriented Approach to a Wider
East
🔸The Look East Policy has today matured into a dynamic and action oriented ‘Act East Policy PM at the 12th ASEAN India Summit and the 9th East Asia Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw,Myanmar, in November, 2014, formally enunciated the Act East Policy.
🔸 India's Act East Policy focusses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region.
🔸The policy which was originally conceived as an economic initiative, has gained political,strategic and cultural dimensions including establishment of institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation.
🔸India has upgraded its relations to strategic partnership with Indonesia, Vietnam,Malaysia, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, Singapore and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and forged close ties with all countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
📝 India-Asean
🔸 India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our foreign policy and the foundation of our Act East Policy.
🔸 The up-gradation of the relationship into a Strategic Partnership in 2012 was a natural progression to the ground covered.
🔸 India became a Sectoral Partner of the ASEAN in 1992, Dialogue Partner in 1996 and Summit Level Partner in 2002.
🔸 There are, in total, 30 Dialogue Mechanisms between India and ASEAN, cutting across various sectors.
🔸 India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our foreign policy and the foundation of our Act East Policy.
🔸 The up-gradation of the relationship into a Strategic Partnership in 2012 was a natural progression to the ground covered.
🔸 India became a Sectoral Partner of the ASEAN in 1992, Dialogue Partner in 1996 and Summit Level Partner in 2002.
🔸 There are, in total, 30 Dialogue Mechanisms between India and ASEAN, cutting across various sectors.
📝 India-ASEAN: Recent Developments
🔸 India hosted leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to mark the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in January 2018. This occasion marked the release of Delhi declaration.
🔸In November 2017 PM participated in the 15th ASEAN-India Summit on the sideline of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.
🔸The ASEAN-India connectivity summit in Delhi from December 11-12 2017 saw participation from all the 10 ASEAN countries along with Japan.
🔸The summit also focused on ensuring better digital connectivity as the government looks to align its initiative with ASEAN's Master Plan on Connectivity, 2025, which centres on five strategic areas:
▫️sustainable infrastructure,
▫️ digital innovation,
▫️seamless logistics,
▫️ regulatory excellence and
▫️people’s mobility.
🔸 India hosted leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to mark the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in January 2018. This occasion marked the release of Delhi declaration.
🔸In November 2017 PM participated in the 15th ASEAN-India Summit on the sideline of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.
🔸The ASEAN-India connectivity summit in Delhi from December 11-12 2017 saw participation from all the 10 ASEAN countries along with Japan.
🔸The summit also focused on ensuring better digital connectivity as the government looks to align its initiative with ASEAN's Master Plan on Connectivity, 2025, which centres on five strategic areas:
▫️sustainable infrastructure,
▫️ digital innovation,
▫️seamless logistics,
▫️ regulatory excellence and
▫️people’s mobility.
📝India-Asean Trade Status
🔸India-ASEAN trade and investment relations have been growing steadily.
🔸ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner.
🔸 India's trade with ASEAN has increased to US$ 70 billion in 2016-17 from US$ 65 billion in 2015-16.
🔸 India's export to ASEAN has increased to US$ 31.07 billion in 2016-17 from US$ 25 billion in 2015-16.
🔸 India’s import to ASEAN increased by 1.8% in 2016-17 vis-à-vis 2015-16 and stood at US$ 40.63 billion.
🔸 The trade represents 10.85% of India’s total trade with the world.
🔸India-ASEAN trade and investment relations have been growing steadily.
🔸ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner.
🔸 India's trade with ASEAN has increased to US$ 70 billion in 2016-17 from US$ 65 billion in 2015-16.
🔸 India's export to ASEAN has increased to US$ 31.07 billion in 2016-17 from US$ 25 billion in 2015-16.
🔸 India’s import to ASEAN increased by 1.8% in 2016-17 vis-à-vis 2015-16 and stood at US$ 40.63 billion.
🔸 The trade represents 10.85% of India’s total trade with the world.
📝India-Asean Investment
🔸Investment flows are also substantial both ways:
🔸With ASEAN accounts for approximately 12.5% of investment flows into India since 2000.
🔸FDI inflows into India from ASEAN between April 2000 to August 2017 was about US$ 514.73 billion,
🔸 FDI outflows from India to ASEAN countries, the from April 2007 to March 2015, as per data maintained by DEA, was about US$38.672 billion.
🔸 The final agreement on ASEAN-India Free Trade Area signed on was on 13 August 2009. The free trade area came into effect on 1 January 2010. ASEAN-India Free Trade Area has been completed with the entering into force of the ASEAN-India Agreements on Trade in Service and Investments on 1 July 2015.
🔸India has setup Project Development Fund with a corpus of INR 500 crores to develop manufacturing hubs in CLMV countries at the 13th ASEAN India Summit held in Malaysia in November 2015.
🔸Investment flows are also substantial both ways:
🔸With ASEAN accounts for approximately 12.5% of investment flows into India since 2000.
🔸FDI inflows into India from ASEAN between April 2000 to August 2017 was about US$ 514.73 billion,
🔸 FDI outflows from India to ASEAN countries, the from April 2007 to March 2015, as per data maintained by DEA, was about US$38.672 billion.
🔸 The final agreement on ASEAN-India Free Trade Area signed on was on 13 August 2009. The free trade area came into effect on 1 January 2010. ASEAN-India Free Trade Area has been completed with the entering into force of the ASEAN-India Agreements on Trade in Service and Investments on 1 July 2015.
🔸India has setup Project Development Fund with a corpus of INR 500 crores to develop manufacturing hubs in CLMV countries at the 13th ASEAN India Summit held in Malaysia in November 2015.
India and Australia Trade
The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated during the India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit.
Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India and India is Australia’s 9th largest trading partner.
India-Australia bilateral trade for both merchandise and services is valued at US$ 27.5 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise exports to Australia grew 135% between 2019 and 2021.
India’s exports consist primarily of a broad-based basket largely of finished products and were US$ 6.9 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise imports from Australia were US$ 15.1 billion in 2021, consisting largely of raw materials, minerals and intermediate goods.
The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated during the India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit.
Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India and India is Australia’s 9th largest trading partner.
India-Australia bilateral trade for both merchandise and services is valued at US$ 27.5 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise exports to Australia grew 135% between 2019 and 2021.
India’s exports consist primarily of a broad-based basket largely of finished products and were US$ 6.9 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise imports from Australia were US$ 15.1 billion in 2021, consisting largely of raw materials, minerals and intermediate goods.
📝RCEP Negotiations: From Trade to Economic Partnership
🔸While the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement was inked and enforced from January 1,2010, India’s goods trade deficit with ASEAN widened from $4.98 billion in 2010-11 to $14.75 billion in 2015-16, and then narrowed to $9.56 billion in 2016-17.
🔸The huge goods trade deficit has led to questions on whether the pact is only helping ASEAN nations and not benefiting India.
🔸In this context the Proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is significant. The 19th round of the Trade Negotiating Committee meetings and other related meetings were held from 17 to 28 July 2017 in Hyderabad, India. 20th round of negotiations for RCEP were held in Incheon, Korea, from October 17 to 28, 2017.
🔸RCEP is a proposed comprehensive regional economic integration agreement or a mega Free Trade Agreement amongst the 10-ASEAN countries and its six Free Trade Agreements.
🔸While the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement was inked and enforced from January 1,2010, India’s goods trade deficit with ASEAN widened from $4.98 billion in 2010-11 to $14.75 billion in 2015-16, and then narrowed to $9.56 billion in 2016-17.
🔸The huge goods trade deficit has led to questions on whether the pact is only helping ASEAN nations and not benefiting India.
🔸In this context the Proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is significant. The 19th round of the Trade Negotiating Committee meetings and other related meetings were held from 17 to 28 July 2017 in Hyderabad, India. 20th round of negotiations for RCEP were held in Incheon, Korea, from October 17 to 28, 2017.
🔸RCEP is a proposed comprehensive regional economic integration agreement or a mega Free Trade Agreement amongst the 10-ASEAN countries and its six Free Trade Agreements.
📝RCEP and India’s Current Concerns
▫️India currently faces a demand to eliminate duties on 92% of its products and perhaps keep very low duties on another 7%, covering a total of 99% of all its agricultural and industrial products.
▫️What is troubling the government is the fact that other RCEP countries have so far been lukewarm to India’s demands for greater market access in services, particularly on easing
norms on the movement of professionals and skilled workers across borders for short-term work.
▫️India has said no to e-commerce negotiations at the WTO and any difference in its stance at the RCEP is likely to have repercussions.
▫️RCEP has been criticized by global and Indian health activists for potentially forcing India to end its cheap supply of drugs, specially related to HIV/AIDS to developing countries,especially Africa.
▫️ In 2017 MEA has taken a strong stand that the country should restrain itself from concluding any such pact from which it would not gain in the medium term.
▫️India currently faces a demand to eliminate duties on 92% of its products and perhaps keep very low duties on another 7%, covering a total of 99% of all its agricultural and industrial products.
▫️What is troubling the government is the fact that other RCEP countries have so far been lukewarm to India’s demands for greater market access in services, particularly on easing
norms on the movement of professionals and skilled workers across borders for short-term work.
▫️India has said no to e-commerce negotiations at the WTO and any difference in its stance at the RCEP is likely to have repercussions.
▫️RCEP has been criticized by global and Indian health activists for potentially forcing India to end its cheap supply of drugs, specially related to HIV/AIDS to developing countries,especially Africa.
▫️ In 2017 MEA has taken a strong stand that the country should restrain itself from concluding any such pact from which it would not gain in the medium term.
📝RCEP Negotiations: From Trade to Economic Partnership
🔸While the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement was inked and enforced from January 1,2010, India’s goods trade deficit with ASEAN widened from $4.98 billion in 2010-11 to $14.75 billion in 2015-16, and then narrowed to $9.56 billion in 2016-17.
🔸The huge goods trade deficit has led to questions on whether the pact is only helping ASEAN nations and not benefiting India.
🔸In this context the Proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is significant. The 19th round of the Trade Negotiating Committee meetings and other related meetings were held from 17 to 28 July 2017 in Hyderabad, India. 20th round of negotiations for RCEP were held in Incheon, Korea, from October 17 to 28, 2017.
🔸RCEP is a proposed comprehensive regional economic integration agreement or a mega Free Trade Agreement amongst the 10-ASEAN countries and its six Free Trade Agreements.
🔸While the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement was inked and enforced from January 1,2010, India’s goods trade deficit with ASEAN widened from $4.98 billion in 2010-11 to $14.75 billion in 2015-16, and then narrowed to $9.56 billion in 2016-17.
🔸The huge goods trade deficit has led to questions on whether the pact is only helping ASEAN nations and not benefiting India.
🔸In this context the Proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is significant. The 19th round of the Trade Negotiating Committee meetings and other related meetings were held from 17 to 28 July 2017 in Hyderabad, India. 20th round of negotiations for RCEP were held in Incheon, Korea, from October 17 to 28, 2017.
🔸RCEP is a proposed comprehensive regional economic integration agreement or a mega Free Trade Agreement amongst the 10-ASEAN countries and its six Free Trade Agreements.
📝Increasing Questions on the Treaty
🔶 In the context of terrorism being used as an instrument of state policy by Pakistan questions have been raised about the treat
🔶In 1960, India accepted the treaty as a goodwill gesture trading water for peace. Within five years of the treaty’s entry into force, Pakistan launched a war to grab the Indian part of J&K in 1965.
🔶 Pakistan insists on rights without responsibilities. Many argue, that use of state-reared terrorist groups can be invoked by India, under Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, as constituting reasonable grounds for withdrawal from the Indus treaty.
🔶The International Court of Justice has upheld the principle that a treaty may be dissolved by reason of a fundamental change of circumstances.
🔶 In the context of terrorism being used as an instrument of state policy by Pakistan questions have been raised about the treat
🔶In 1960, India accepted the treaty as a goodwill gesture trading water for peace. Within five years of the treaty’s entry into force, Pakistan launched a war to grab the Indian part of J&K in 1965.
🔶 Pakistan insists on rights without responsibilities. Many argue, that use of state-reared terrorist groups can be invoked by India, under Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, as constituting reasonable grounds for withdrawal from the Indus treaty.
🔶The International Court of Justice has upheld the principle that a treaty may be dissolved by reason of a fundamental change of circumstances.
📝 The South China Sea Disputes
🔸 Since the 1970s, the South China Sea has been a nest of competing sovereignty claims over the island features and ocean spaces by a number of adjacent countries.
🔸The South China dispute is over territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and entitlement, particularly along the Paracel and the Spratly island chains.
🔸These island chains are claimed by a number of countries in the region including China,Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
🔸 China through its unilateral 9 dash lines, declared in 1947, claims nearly the entire south China Sea.
🔸The islands lie among the world's busiest shipping lanes and have vast mineral resources around them, making them highly strategic assets.
🔸 In addition, China has recently engaged in, amongst other things, the physical enhancement of many of the small features of the Spratly Islands and enforcement of a moratorium on fishing in the South China Sea.
🔸 Since the 1970s, the South China Sea has been a nest of competing sovereignty claims over the island features and ocean spaces by a number of adjacent countries.
🔸The South China dispute is over territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and entitlement, particularly along the Paracel and the Spratly island chains.
🔸These island chains are claimed by a number of countries in the region including China,Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
🔸 China through its unilateral 9 dash lines, declared in 1947, claims nearly the entire south China Sea.
🔸The islands lie among the world's busiest shipping lanes and have vast mineral resources around them, making them highly strategic assets.
🔸 In addition, China has recently engaged in, amongst other things, the physical enhancement of many of the small features of the Spratly Islands and enforcement of a moratorium on fishing in the South China Sea.
📝 Cultural Ties Between India and South East Asia
🔸3 Cs – commerce, connectivity and culture – are at the core of India’s Act East policy.
🔸 India’s soft power is reflected in
▫️ Buddhism, yoga,
▫️ Revival of Nalanda University,
▫️Chairs of Indian studies in universities (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia)
▫️ Indian cultural centres (Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Suva, Lautoka), and
▫️joint restoration of monuments (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos).
🔸3 Cs – commerce, connectivity and culture – are at the core of India’s Act East policy.
🔸 India’s soft power is reflected in
▫️ Buddhism, yoga,
▫️ Revival of Nalanda University,
▫️Chairs of Indian studies in universities (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia)
▫️ Indian cultural centres (Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Suva, Lautoka), and
▫️joint restoration of monuments (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos).
📝 India’s Position on South China Sea Dispute
🔸More the 55 % of India’s trade passes through the region.
🔸India has significant investments in the hydrocarbon sector along the Vietnam coast, in South China Sea.
🔸Thus, India has advocated a peaceful resolution of differences in the framework of international law.
🔸At the same time India has expressed its resolute position supporting the freedom of navigations and open Sea lanes of Communication. India’s reaction to the PCA verdict emphasized on freedom of navigation, over-flight and the rule of law.
🔸Chinese maritime power in South East Asia has a direct bearing on the it navies’ power projection plans in the Indian Ocean. From an Indian perspective, China’s growing military
presence in the South China Sea has a destabilizing effect on the wider Asian littorals, as it exacerbates existing power asymmetries.
🔸More the 55 % of India’s trade passes through the region.
🔸India has significant investments in the hydrocarbon sector along the Vietnam coast, in South China Sea.
🔸Thus, India has advocated a peaceful resolution of differences in the framework of international law.
🔸At the same time India has expressed its resolute position supporting the freedom of navigations and open Sea lanes of Communication. India’s reaction to the PCA verdict emphasized on freedom of navigation, over-flight and the rule of law.
🔸Chinese maritime power in South East Asia has a direct bearing on the it navies’ power projection plans in the Indian Ocean. From an Indian perspective, China’s growing military
presence in the South China Sea has a destabilizing effect on the wider Asian littorals, as it exacerbates existing power asymmetries.
📝 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
🔸 the twenty-seven-member multilateral grouping was developed to facilitate cooperation on political and security issues to contribute to regional confidence-building and preventive diplomacy.
🔸 First meeting Held at Bangkok, Thailand, in 1994.
🔸 It includes ASEAN and 10 dialogue partners i.e Australia, Canada, China, the European
Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, and the United States. Also included are the Papua New Guinea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan,Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
🔸Unique among international organizations of its type, the ARF is characterized by minimal institutionalization, decision making by consensus, and the use of both “first track” (official) and “second track” (nonofficial) diplomacy.
🔸 the twenty-seven-member multilateral grouping was developed to facilitate cooperation on political and security issues to contribute to regional confidence-building and preventive diplomacy.
🔸 First meeting Held at Bangkok, Thailand, in 1994.
🔸 It includes ASEAN and 10 dialogue partners i.e Australia, Canada, China, the European
Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, and the United States. Also included are the Papua New Guinea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan,Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
🔸Unique among international organizations of its type, the ARF is characterized by minimal institutionalization, decision making by consensus, and the use of both “first track” (official) and “second track” (nonofficial) diplomacy.
📝India and Singapore
◽ Background
🔸Singapore was established as a trading post in 1819. It became a colony under British India, governed from Calcutta (1830-1867). It becam an independent state in 1965.
🔸Even though small, 700 Sq
Kilometre area, Singapore is strategically located.
🔸It has become a melting pot of multiracial and multi cultural identities including people of Indian origi.
🔸 Subhash Chandra Bose had resided in Singapore. Jawahar Lal Nehru visited in 1937 and 1946
🔸 Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is credited with transforming Singapore into the modern city state with economic might.
🔸 Singapore has been a staunch supporter of India in ASEAN. Singapore believes in pivotal
role for India in Asia. Singapore a hub of India’s political, economic, security engagement in South East Asia. Singapore views India as a stabilising force.
🔸2015 marked 50th anniversary of the bilateral relations and bilateral ties were elevated to
a Strategic Partnership.
◽ Background
🔸Singapore was established as a trading post in 1819. It became a colony under British India, governed from Calcutta (1830-1867). It becam an independent state in 1965.
🔸Even though small, 700 Sq
Kilometre area, Singapore is strategically located.
🔸It has become a melting pot of multiracial and multi cultural identities including people of Indian origi.
🔸 Subhash Chandra Bose had resided in Singapore. Jawahar Lal Nehru visited in 1937 and 1946
🔸 Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is credited with transforming Singapore into the modern city state with economic might.
🔸 Singapore has been a staunch supporter of India in ASEAN. Singapore believes in pivotal
role for India in Asia. Singapore a hub of India’s political, economic, security engagement in South East Asia. Singapore views India as a stabilising force.
🔸2015 marked 50th anniversary of the bilateral relations and bilateral ties were elevated to
a Strategic Partnership.
📝Recent Dispute and International Ruling
🔸In 2013, the Philippines commenced a case against China under the provisions of UNCLOS, to the Permanent court of Arbitration in the Hague. Although a long-standing party to the Convention, China declined to participate in the establishment of the Tribunal or to appear before it.
🔸An Arbitral tribunal was constituted under annex vii to the 1982 UNCLOS.
🔸Issues concerned: legal basis of maritime rights and entitlements in the South China Sea,the status of certain geographic features in the South China Sea, and the lawfulness of certain actions taken by China in the South China Sea.
🔸China viewed the principal subject matters in dispute as political and beyond the jurisdiction and competence of the Tribunal.
🔸The tribunal, issued in 2015 an Award on Jurisdiction, stating that it had jurisdiction to consider the merits of almost all the Submissions made by the Philippines.
🔸In 2013, the Philippines commenced a case against China under the provisions of UNCLOS, to the Permanent court of Arbitration in the Hague. Although a long-standing party to the Convention, China declined to participate in the establishment of the Tribunal or to appear before it.
🔸An Arbitral tribunal was constituted under annex vii to the 1982 UNCLOS.
🔸Issues concerned: legal basis of maritime rights and entitlements in the South China Sea,the status of certain geographic features in the South China Sea, and the lawfulness of certain actions taken by China in the South China Sea.
🔸China viewed the principal subject matters in dispute as political and beyond the jurisdiction and competence of the Tribunal.
🔸The tribunal, issued in 2015 an Award on Jurisdiction, stating that it had jurisdiction to consider the merits of almost all the Submissions made by the Philippines.