This book analyses the nearly 30 years of India–ASEAN relations from a contemporary perspective, identifies the reasons for India’s vibrant and significant relation with ASEAN and examines the cultural, economic, political and strategic linkages between India and ASEAN. The book projects the future of India–ASEAN relations in the face of the changing Indo-Pacific geopolitics and explores potential policies which could enhance the connection between India and Southeast Asian countries. Arguing that ASEAN is of primary importance to India, the book suggests that any successful outing in the Indo-Pacific would need a strong partnership with India. The book demonstrates how external powers influence ASEAN, with many of them supporting the centrality of ASEAN and its regional architecture in the broader Indo-Pacific. Chapters by experts in their fields present thematically specific analyses of political, defence, maritime and cultural aspects as well as the position of Northeast India in the India–ASEAN relations and assess the success and challenges of India’s ties with ASEAN in the context of the Look East and the Act East Policies. A reassessment of ASEAN–India relations past and present, this book will be of interest to academics and policy makers working in the field of International Relations, Asian Politics and South Asian Politics, in particular India’s Foreign Policy and Southeast Asian Politics.

The changes in the global environment such as the demise of the socialist system, initiation of globalization, the declining position of international organizations and reduction in the importance of forums like NAM have made it imperative for India to review its old foreign policy nuances. For long, India hardly regarded the countries of Southeast Asia and South Pacific as priority areas despite the latter's cultural, political, economic and strategic significance. The long spell of mutual alienation understandably gave way to mutual distrust and suspicion. This dark period in India's relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and South Pacific was, however, brought to an end following the reshaping and reorientation of India's foreign policy, manifest in the vigorous pursuit of 'Look East' policy, it was Prime Minister Narasimha Rao who concentrated on forging links and enhancing cultural, economic, political and strategic cooperation with Southeast Asia and transformed this important urge into India's foreign policy initiative that culminated in 'Look East' policy. India's engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) started with its Look East Policy in the year 1991. ASEAN has a membership of 10 countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and full dialogue partner in 1996. In November 2001, the ASEAN-India relationship was upgraded to the summit level. Consequently, the latter had already registered impressive progress in the field of economy, strategy and cultural relations between India and ASEAN.

"The Merlion and the Ashoka : Singapore-India Strategic and Defence Ties examines the historical evolution and future prospects of the strategic and defence ties between these two nations. India, which considers Singapore to be one of its closest partners in Southeast Asia, has offered Singapore unprecedented access to training facilities, including basing equipment on Indian soil. In turn, Singapore has a close defence dialogue at various levels with India and active military cooperation at the tactical and operational levels. How did the two countries attain such an unprecedented level of defence cooperation and what were the challenges they had to overcome? Combining perspectives from policy-makers, academics and military officers, this book examines different aspects surrounding this question. While exploring the future trajectory of Singapore-India relations, it makes recommendations on how to enhance this strategic partnership"--Provided by publisher.

There is a growing dialogue between India and Southeast Asia. From a marginal relationship during the Cold War days to the participation of India at the East Asia summit in December 2005 has been a long journey. In the context of the geopolitical situation in the Asia-Pacific in the post-September 11 period, the security dimension between India and Southeast Asia cannot be overemphasized. With the continued U.S. preponderance in the region and China's phenomenal rise, the countries of Southeast Asia and India have an opportunity to evolve a co-operative relationship not only with one another, but also with the major powers of the region. This book examines the areas of comprehensive security and the growing understanding between India and Southeast Asia where there is less divergence and greater convergence. The author argues that India-Southeast Asia security convergence is not and should not be aimed at any particular country. On an optimistic note he concludes that such convergence will contribute to creating harmony among the major powers of Asia to make the twenty-first century the "Asian century."