7th September 2024 (8 Topics)
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Facing East
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Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore and his upcoming trip to Brunei signify a renewed focus on strengthening India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the broader Pacific region. This diplomatic push reflects India's intent to bolster its regional presence and address gaps in its trade and strategic relationships.
Diplomatic Engagements and Regional Strategy
- Rebooting Partnerships: The recent high-level visits by Indian leaders, including PM Modi’s engagements with Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam, demonstrate India’s commitment to reinvigorating its relationships in Southeast Asia. This renewed focus aims to capitalize on the goodwill and high expectations from the region.
- Balancing Regional Interests: Despite recent attention to the Gulf region, India’s strategic pivot back to Southeast Asia highlights its balanced approach to regional diplomacy. Modi’s reaffirmation of support for ASEAN and its central role in regional security aligns with India’s broader geopolitical strategy amid the US-China rivalry.
- Strengthening Defense and Security Ties: India’s efforts to reassure ASEAN partners and enhance defense cooperation reflect a strategic intent to integrate more closely with the regional security architecture. This approach underscores India’s commitment to regional stability and security cooperation.
Trade and Economic Commitments
- RCEP Withdrawal Impact: India’s decision to exit the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations has caused disappointment among key regional players, such as Singapore. This move has raised concerns about India’s commitment to regional trade liberalization and integration.
- Focus on Bilateral Trade Agreements: In response to the RCEP setback, India is working to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties with major Southeast Asian economies. This includes exploring new areas of cooperation, such as digitalization, health, space technology, and advanced manufacturing.
- Semiconductor Diplomacy: India’s emphasis on semiconductor collaboration with Malaysia and Singapore highlights its strategic interest in advancing technological partnerships. The successful implementation of these agreements could enhance India’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Practice Question
Q. How can India address the challenges and opportunities in trade and economic cooperation with Southeast Asian nations following its withdrawal from the RCEP?
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