Deviating from the traditions, India inviting all the leaders of ASEAN as Chief Guests at Republic Day was a diplomatic master-stroke by Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeping the situation with China and Pakistan in view. Traditionally, always there used to be only one foreign dignitary at the Parade where India showcases its military might, plural society and soft power etc. The presence of ASEAN leaders sent out a clear signal of Delhi’s intention to build strong bonds with the regional nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed to the fact that India-ASEAN relations are “free from contests and claims,” in his an article published in 27 newspapers in the 10 ASEAN countries. Delhi has underscored the need to strengthen partnership with south-east Asian nations. Now, Delhi must back its effusive words and flamboyant diplomacy with strong action to deepen bonds with the ASEAN. There is enormous potential. India’s trade with ASEAN has grown 25 times in as many years. But compared to China’s trade with the regional grouping, which is worth $473 billion, India’s is a paltry $73 billion. Southeast Asia looks upon India as a bit of a snail when it comes to completing infrastructure projects. The India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway, which was to be ready in 2016, is nowhere near completion. India has proposed extension of this highway to Cambodia, Laos PDR and Vietnam. ASEAN countries will not take India’s proposals seriously so long as its plans remain on paper. India will need to be more dynamic and energised in its engagement with them. Else, it will be China, not India that will provide ASEAN with inspiration and dominate its imagination. In the past, India-ASEAN statements avoided using terms like ‘cross-border terrorism’ or ‘maritime security co-operation’, perhaps out of apprehension that this would ruffle feathers in Islamabad and Beijing. That hesitation appears to have been overcome. The Delhi Declaration issued last week explicitly affirms that India and ASEAN will work together in “countering cross-border movement of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters.” It calls for full and effective implementation of the “Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea” and an early conclusion of the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.” In doing so, Delhi has shown solidarity with ASEAN’s position in the South China Sea dispute with China.
