IMPORTANCE OF THE EAST

In this context, East and South-East Asia have come to assume an important place in our policy priorities. Talking about this region, one of its unique, yet universally recognized features is the importance we attach to mutual respect and peaceful coexistence between nations. Within the nations themselves, the importance given to family values, culture and traditions needs no elaboration. When we talk about a family or comity of nations, it is understood in the right perspective. The freedom of expression which we espouse finds reflection in the strong democratic system that prevails in our countries. An inclusive government, responsive to the concerns of our peoples, gives us the needed energy to deal with the diverse and pluralistic societies our countries represent. Our shared historical traditions give us yet another reason for working together.

INDIA’S ASEAN POLICY

India's policy towards ASEAN nations and the nations of the Pacific was conceived in the context of various factors, including national interest, security concerns and economic imperatives. This policy was prompted by significant changes in the global political and economic scenario and by our own adoption of economic reforms and liberalization. ASEAN's economic, political and strategic importance in the Asia Pacific region and its potential to become a major partner of India in trade and investment were significant elements in our approach to the region. India's "Look East" policy can thus be described as the search for political and economic convergence with this most dynamic region of Asia which, through its emergence as an economic powerhouse of the world economy, provided India with a model worthy of emulation.

INDIA “LOOK EAST POLICY”

India has pursued its "Look East" policy and developed multi-faceted relationships with countries of the ASEAN region and the South Pacific within a multilateral as well as a bilateral context. We have been actively engaged with the ARF and as a Full Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN since 1996 and have been having annual summits since 2002. India also participated in the East Asia Summits held in Kuala Lumpur and Cebu in December, 2005 and January, 2007 respectively. We signed the "India-ASEAN Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity" at the 3rd India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane in November, 2004. The Agreement envisages strengthening cooperation in the UN and the multilateral fora, including the WTO, combating international terrorism, transnational crimes, human trafficking, cyber and economic crimes, sea piracy and cooperation in capacity building. It lays stress on the development of regional infrastructure and intra-regional communication links to facilitate greater movement of goods and people cooperation in science and technology.

RESURGENCE OF ASIA

The resurgence of Asia in political and economic terms has been accompanied by the rise of powerful economic forces unleashed by globalization and the trend towards regional economic integration. Our engagement with East and Southeast Asia in the political and security arena has been accompanied by progressive economic integration in terms of Free Trade Agreements and Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements with countries of the region. A Framework Agreement on the FTA between India and Thailand was signed in 2003 and the Early Harvest Programme is being implemented since 1st September, 2004. A Framework Agreement for an FTA with the ASEAN was concluded in 2003. India concluded a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Singapore in June, 2005 and has established a Joint Study Group for examining the feasibility of a similar agreement with Malaysia. With Indonesia too, we have signed an MoU on the Establishment of a Joint Study Group to examine the feasibility of a similar arrangement. A Regional Trading Arrangement is currently under negotiation With China and negotiations are underway on bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with Japan and the Republic of Korea.