Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

16.11.2023

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

On November 16, 2023, Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will participate in the 10th Meeting-Plus of Defense Ministers of ASEAN countries in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Important points

• There will also be bilateral meetings with the Defense Ministers of the countries participating in this conference.
• Indonesia is currently the Chair of ADMM-Plus and is hosting the meeting this year.

About ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)

• The meeting will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from November 16 to 17, 2023.
• The ADMM-Plus Ministerial Meeting has been held annually since 2017 to promote cooperation between ASEAN and Plus countries.
• The inaugural session of ADMM-Plus was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010.
• ADMM is the highest defense consultation and cooperative mechanism in the interest of ASEAN countries.
• ADMM-Plus serves as an important dialogue platform for ASEAN member states.
• It also discusses strengthening security and defense cooperation among ASEAN dialogue partner countries.

Importance of ADMM-Plus

• ADMM-Plus works with member countries through seven Expert Working Groups (EWGs) namely maritime security, military medicine, cyber security, peacekeeping activities, counter-terrorism efforts, demining operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). Promotes practical cooperation between.

About ASEAN

• ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
• Its headquarters is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The Bangkok Declaration, 1967 formally established ASEAN.
• The first ASEAN summit was held in 1976.
• Members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
• It has eight dialogue partner countries (India, USA, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand).
• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional association that was established to maintain social stability and political balance among the post-colonial states of Asia amid increasing conflicts.
• The motto of ASEAN is "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".
• Every year August 8 is celebrated as ASEAN Day.

Institutional structure of ASEAN:

• ASEAN Summit: Meets annually to discuss regional issues and set policy directions.
• ASEAN Coordination Council (ACC): It oversees the implementation of ASEAN agreements and decisions.
• ASEAN Secretariat: It supports and facilitates ASEAN's activities and initiatives.
• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): It is a forum for dialogue and cooperation on political and security issues among ASEAN member states and their allies.
• Decision Making: This is done through consultation and consensus.

Importance of ASEAN for India:

• India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992.
• India needs closer diplomatic ties with ASEAN countries for both economic and security reasons.
• Connectivity with ASEAN countries can help India improve its presence in the region.
• These connectivity projects put Northeast India at the center, ensuring economic growth of the Northeastern states.
• Better trade relations with ASEAN countries would mean a counterweight to China's presence in the region and economic growth and development for India.
• ASEAN holds a centralized position in the rules-based security architecture in the Indo-Pacific, which is important for India as much of its trade is dependent on maritime security.

Cooperation with ASEAN countries is essential to counter insurgency in the North-East, tackle terrorism, tax evasion etc.