Asean`s new Indo-Pacific policy |
ASEAN has been playing an important role in the development of the countries of South East Asia but lately India`s inclination towards BIMSTEC has changed a lot of things. Keeping this in mind, the Asean has rolled out its new Indo-Pacific strategy. India has been putting in more diplomatic energy into Bimstec to build on connectivity and open a channel for greater economic and strategic engagement eastwards. This was one of the main reasons why Bimstec leaders were invited to PM Narendra Modi`s second swearing-in in May 2019. Thailand is the current head of Asean and it was Thailand`s initiative to reinforce Asean`s leading role in the conduct of relations with external partners in the region. Asean`s Indo-Pacific policy took a while in the making. The south-east Asian countries have been debating this for at least a year now. It took some changes in the language to bring Singapore around. According to Thai PM Prayut Chan Ocha who released the Asean Outlook in Bangkok on Sunday, Bimstec, IORA and other organisations will provide potential for cooperation. The outlook said these can be realised through "innovative, interdisciplinary and complementary approaches".
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