Recognising the need for greater engagement with the ASEAN region, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) supported the first Delhi Dialogue I, on 21-22 January, 2009. This was organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the SAEA Group Research (SAEA) with the institutional support of esteemed Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) and Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), as an international conference to chart the issues and dynamics facing the Asia Pacific Region for leaders and business investors.
Delhi Dialogue is an annual Track 1.5 forum for discussing politico-security, economic and social-cultural issues between ASEAN and India.
The ninth edition of Delhi Dialogue was held recently. It is being held annually since 2009 and is a premier event to discuss politico-security, economic and socio-cultural engagement between ASEAN and India.
The theme of Delhi Dialogue this year was “ASEAN-India Relations: Charting the Course for the Next 25 Years”.
ASEAN countries that participated are: Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand.
This conference has emerged as an important forum in which political leaders, policy makers, researchers, academicians, business leaders and media persons converge for brainstorming on a range of issues pertaining to ASEAN-India relations.
The meet provides an opportunity to leaders to explore ways to boost cooperation in these key areas and also in the field of connectivity and tourism.
Delhi Dialogue over the past decade has been an important tool to push partnership with ASEAN.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurating the Delhi Dialogue stressed on the importance of focussing on three ‘C’s – commonalities, connectivity and culture – to further strengthen the relationship between India and the ASEAN nations.
India and ASEAN are natural partners and their relationship can provide rich dividends to the region and the world, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj emphasised on the need to improve connectivity between both the sides and within the ASEAN as they emerge top economies and largest economic space. This, she said, could provide immense opportunities and invited businesspersons from the ASEAN countries to invest in India as it is one of the top economies of the world.
Talking about the common security challenges, the Indian Minister also stressed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and the need for cooperation to check terrorism, piracy and cyber security.
Mrs. Swaraj also launched the electronic version of India-ASEAN Women Business Forum (IAWBF) in the presence of Indian and ASEAN co-chairs.
Observer Research Foundation (ORF) organised the Academic Session which featured panel discussions on the themes Regional Geopolitics: Great Power Politics in the Asia-Pacific; New Connectivity Paradigms in the Asia-Pacific; Technology, Innovation and Big Data; and Socio-Cultural Engagement and Diaspora Links.
A Concluding Plenary titled Looking Ahead which was held with focus on key takeaways from Delhi Dialogue 9 to chart the course for India-ASEAN relations for the next 25 years. The 10-member Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN countries and 15 senior media personnel from ASEAN attended the event.
ASEAN-India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995.
The relationship was further elevated with the convening of the ASEAN-India Summit in 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since then the ASEAN-India Summit has been held annually.
Significance of Delhi Dialouge:
The Delhi Dialogue is a key element of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. India shares extremely cordial cultural and commercial links with countries of ASEAN. The Dialogue provides a platform for experts from various fields in India and ASEAN countries to exchange views on a wide variety of subjects.
