Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia, in collaboration with the Mission of India to ASEAN, successfully hosted the seminar “Commemorating A Decade of India’s Act East Policy: Reflections and the Way Forward for ASEAN-India Relations” at the CSIS Auditorium, Pakarti Centre, Jakarta, on 6 February 2025. The event brought together prominent diplomats, scholars, and experts based in Jakarta to reflect on the achievements of India’s Act East Policy (AEP) and explore future avenues for strengthening ASEAN-India cooperation.

Key Highlights

The seminar commemorates the first decade of India’s Act East Policy by H.E. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 East Asia Summit in Myanmar. The Act East Policy has been pivotal in deepening India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core. Since India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1992 and a Dialogue Partner in 1995, ASEAN-India relations have evolved significantly, culminating in the elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of CSIS Indonesia, emphasized that ASEAN-India relations have strengthened despite global geopolitical uncertainties. He highlighted ASEAN’s continued search for reliable partners to support its vision of a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in which India plays a critical role.

H.E. Jayant N. Khobragade, Ambassador of India to ASEAN, outlined the four pillars of the Act East Policy—Culture, Commerce, Capacity Building, and Connectivity—and India’s ongoing commitment to ASEAN centrality. He noted that ASEAN is India’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 15% of India's global trade in services. Additionally, India has played a crucial role in cultural and historical preservation in the region and continues to support ASEAN-led mechanisms, reinforcing its strategic and economic partnerships.

H.E. Sandeep Chakravorty, Ambassador of India to Indonesia, reiterated that ASEAN remains central to India's foreign policy and that India's growing engagement with ASEAN and Indonesia is reflected in various bilateral and regional initiatives, including the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity in the Region, maritime cooperation, and infrastructure projects like the Andaman-Aceh Connectivity initiative.

H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, highlighted ASEAN-India trade surpassing USD 100 billion, the role of educational and cultural exchanges, and the importance of a rules-based regional order for ensuring stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Panel Discussion

The panel session featured insights from leading experts:

• H.E. Gurjit Singh, former Ambassador of India to ASEAN and Indonesia, emphasized the need for dynamic ASEAN-India relations based on mutual trust, economic integration, and stronger engagement with the Global South. He noted that India is a partner, not a donor, and called for a shift towards deeper business-to-business (B2B) cooperation.
• Ms. Yanitha Meena Louis, Analyst at ISIS Malaysia, underscored the misconceptions surrounding India's Act East Policy, arguing that India's engagement with ASEAN is not solely a reaction to China but rather a reflection of its independent strategic interests. She urged ASEAN to define India’s role beyond that of a balancer and recognize its potential as a development partner, security provider, and inter-regional connector.
• Dr. Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of CSIS Indonesia, analyzed ASEAN-India trade and investment trends, highlighting supply chain gaps, logistical bottlenecks, and regulatory barriers that must be addressed to enhance economic resilience and regional integration.
• Dr. Lina Alexandra, Head of the International Relations Department at CSIS Indonesia, moderated the discussion, stressing the need for consistency in India’s regional engagement and stronger alignment between the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and AOIP.

Looking Ahead

The seminar concluded with a call for deeper policy coordination, enhanced trade and investment flows, and expanded strategic cooperation between ASEAN and India. With India projected to become a developed nation by 2047, the strengthening of ASEAN-India relations will be vital for regional stability, economic growth, and a rules-based Indo-Pacific order.

Moving forward, India and ASEAN must work together to create an inclusive and sustainable regional architecture, leveraging India’s expertise in technology, innovation, connectivity, and education to foster a more integrated, prosperous, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

For further inquiries, please contact: 

Mr. M. Waffaa Kharisma (+62 813 1017 6174 / waffaa.kharisma@csis.or.id)
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia

Mr. Vijaypal Singh Yadav (+6221 29023612 / asean.jakarta@mea.gov.in)
Indian Mission to ASEAN