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India and ASEAN: Centered in Act East ​

ASEAN is the Central Pillar of India’s 'Act East' policy and 'Indo-Pacific' vision.

1. Security & Connectivity ​

Security & Connectivity ​

Security & Connectivity
Cue WordsNotes
Analyze key facts and concepts related to Security & Connectivity.
  • Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI): Aligning with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) to secure maritime lanes.
  • Trilateral Highway: Connecting Moreh (India) to Mae Sot (Thailand) via Myanmar.
  • ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME): Inaugurated in 2023 in the South China Sea, enhancing interoperability between Indian and ASEAN navies.
  • ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group: India and Malaysia are co-chairing the ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle.
Analyze key outcomes of the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit (2025) and institutional structures.
  • Status: Ties elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) (2022 mandate). Malaysia hosted the 22nd Summit alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025.
  • Theme: "Inclusivity and Sustainability."
  • Institutional Background:
  • Genesis: 1967, Bangkok Declaration. Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • Charter: Article 1.15 emphasizes ASEAN Centrality as the driving force for external relations.
  • Founding Members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
  • Membership: Timor Leste joined as the 11th member (2025). India is a Dialogue Partner (since 1992, full Dialogue Partner from 1996) and Comprehensive Strategic Partner (2022).
  • Key Outcomes & Agreements:
  • Kuala Lumpur Accord: Joint ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.
  • ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030): Newly adopted roadmap in July 2025 to implement the CSP.
  • Year of Maritime Cooperation (2026): Formally designated by PM Modi to strengthen the Blue Economy, sustainable fisheries, and maritime security.
  • Institutions: Proposed Nalanda University centre for Southeast Asian studies; Lothal (Gujarat) to host the East Asia Summit Maritime Heritage Festival.
  • ASEAN Future Forum: Platform for member states and partners to share ideas (Founding: Vietnam 2023).
  • Tech & Cooperation Funds:
  • SAFE Agromet Project: Developed by ISRO under the AFSIS (ASEAN Food Security Information System) framework for space-based climate monitoring.
  • Four Dedicated Funds:
    1. ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund (AIF)
    2. ASEAN-India Green Fund (AIGF)
    3. ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund (AISTDF)
    4. ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future (AIFDF)
  • AITIGA Review: Mandatory National Treatment to goods as per GATT 1994 principles.

2. Economic Friction & Integration ​

Economic Friction & Integration ​

Economic Friction & Integration
Cue WordsNotes
Analyze key facts and concepts related to Economic Friction & Integration.
  • AITIGA Review: Negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) were fast-tracked through 2025 to resolve India's growing trade deficit, non-tariff barriers, and demand for asymmetric market access.
  • Digital Payments Linkage: RBI has established cross-border UPI/retail payment connections with Singapore (PayNow-UPI), Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand to ease remittance flows.
  • RCEP Withdrawal: India remains outside the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to shield domestic dairy, agriculture, and MSME sectors from tariff-free Chinese dumping.

3. Conclusion ​

Conclusion ​

Conclusion
Cue WordsNotes
Analyze key facts and concepts related to Conclusion.
  • Success lies in moving from "Connectivity gaps" to "Trade-Saturated & Centrality-Verified Regional Saturation."

🎯 UPSC Prelims 2026 Questions & Explanations ​

Cue WordsNotes
Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trust...
  • Question 91: Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only
    IR Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries?
    3.
    2.
    Select the answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1 and 2\n(b) 2 and 3\n(c) 1 and 3\n(d) 2 only

  • Correct Answer: (A)

  • Key Concepts & Explanation:
  • The New Delhi Declaration was structured around seven Chakras including Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI: The declaration incorporated seven thematic pillars covering areas such as Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI as part of its broader framework. Hence, this statement 3 is correct.
    AI Impact Summi t 2026' Begins in New Delhi News Today (23 Feb 2026): AI Impact Summi t 2026 Conclu des with Adopti on of New Delhi Declara tion
    A India's Act East Policy focuses on improving connectivity with ASEAN countries through road, rail, sea, and multimodal transport networks. Myanmar serves as India's key land bridge to Southeast Asia, making several connectivity projects strategically important for India-ASEAN cooperation.
    The infrastructure projects keep appearing in the news from time to time.
    E CA https://indianexpress.com/videos/explained-video/why-northeast-kolkata-link-via-myanmar-not-bangladesh-is-significant-kaladan-multimodal-project/ https://www.meheindu.com/news/national/nea
    Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
    The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects Kolkata port with Sittwe port in Myanmar and further links India's northeastern
    from time to time.
    EN https://indianexpress.com/videos/explained-video/why-northeast-kolkata-link-via-myanmar-not-bangladesh-is-significant-kaladan-multimodal-project/ https://www.meheindu.com/news/national/nea
    IMT Trilateral Highway
    The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects Kolkata port with Sittwe port in Myanmar and
    E
    En
    PT 365 2026 Interna tional Relatio ns: Article 4.8.3. Kaladan Multimodal-transport transit to time
    Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
    https://visione as.in/current/affairs/news-today/2025-05-26/interiorna-transport-relatio ns/national/projects/
    Select the answer using the code given below:
    further links
    https://indianexpress.com/videos/explained-video/why-northeast-kolkata-link-via-myanmar-not-bangladesh-is-significant-kaladan-multimodal-project/ https://www.meheindu.com/news/national/nea
    region with Myanmar, an ASEAN member country. Hence option 1 is correct.
    rly-70-work-of-\nindia-myanmar-\nthailand-\ntrilateral-\nhighway-\ncomplete-says-\ngadkari/article6\n7033662.ece
    (KMTTP) heast-\nto-be-\nMonthly gatewa\ny-for-\nCurrent trade-\nAffairs with-\nJuly\n2025:\nArticle\n2.9.1.\nKaladan\nMultim\nodal\nTransit\nTransp\nort\nProject\n(KMTTP) News\nToday\n(08 Jul\n2025):\nKaladan\nMultim\nodal\nTransit\nTransp\nort\nProject\n(KMTTP) to be\nOperati\nonal by\n2027:\nUnion\nMiniste\nr\n26th\nMay\n2025
    The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT)\nTrilateral Highway connects India with Myanmar and Thailand through a road network, strengthening connectivity with ASEAN member countries. Hence option 2 is correct.
    The Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line connects India with Bangladesh. Since Bangladesh is not a member of ASEAN, this project is not part of India-ASEAN connectivity cooperation. Hence option 3 is not correct.\nHence only options 1 and 2 are correct. Hence, the correct answer is (a).

  • Year Asked: Prelims 2026

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