Lok Sabha Question No. 2830 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Relation with ASEAN Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2830 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## RELATION WITH ASEAN COUNTRIES

## † 2830. SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  relations between India and other ASEAN countries;
- (b) the number of agreements regarding commerce, military etc. signed with these countries; and
- (c) the  extent  to  which  trade  has  increased  and  the  manner  in which the countries are likely to get benefited at the international platform?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a)      In 2014, Government of India announced the transformation of India's  Look  East  Policy  to  an  Act  East  Policy,  with  a  focus  on strengthening  India's  relations  with  its  extended  neighbourhood  in the  Asia-Pacific  region,  which  includes  all  ASEAN  countries.  The policy,  which  was  originally  conceived  as  an  economic  initiative, has  gained  political,  strategic  and  cultural  dimensions  including establishment of institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation. Among ASEAN countries, India has strategic partnerships  with  Indonesia,  Vietnam,  Malaysia,  Singapore  and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Enhancing connectivity with ASEAN countries is a priority in this context, for regional integration and prosperity. To this effect, India has announced an LoC of US $1 Billion to ASEAN countries, for undertaking projects to promote physical and digital connectivity.

Steady efforts are also being made to develop and strengthen connectivity  of  Northeast  India  with  the  ASEAN  countries  through trade, culture, people-to-people contacts and physical infrastructure (road,  airport,  telecommunication and power).   Some of the major ongoing  projects  to  improve  connectivity  between  Northeast  India and  the  countries  of  ASEAN  include  Kaladan  Multi-modal  Transit Transport  Project,  the  India-Myanmar-Thailand  Trilateral  Highway Project, Rhi-Tiddim Road Project and Border Haats.

On  the  civilizational  front,  synergies  are  being  built  through cultural connectivity with ASEAN countries. In this regard, India has also been actively supporting restoration of monuments in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, which have distinct Indian influences.

Since 2014, visits at the level of Prime Minister, President and Vice  President  have  been  undertaken  to  9  out  of  10  ASEAN countries. (b)     India  has  signed  23  bilateral  agreements  in  commerce  and trade  sectors  and  21  bilateral  agreements  in  the  defense  and military domain with the ASEAN Countries.

(c)     India and ASEAN share deep economic ties.  The coming into force  of  the  ASEAN-India  Free  Trade  Area  in  July  2015  and  the establishment  of  the  ASEAN  Economic  Community  in  December 2015 have given a major boost to bilateral trade. ASEAN is India's 4th largest trading partner, accounting for 10% of India's total trade. Bilateral  trade  with  ASEAN  countries  which  was  US  $2  billion  in 1992,  is  now  US$  70  billion  in  2016-17.  India  is  also  actively participating  in  the  Regional  Comprehensive  Economic Partnership (RCEP)  negotiations,  which  would  further  integrate  participating countries  in  the  region  (ASEAN  countries  +6  countries  including India), to benefit their economies.

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