Why is it in the news?
At the ASEAN-India Summit, the Prime Minister Modi presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-ASEAN cooperation.
About the 12-point proposal for India-ASEAN Cooperation
- Establishing multi-modal connectivity and economic corridors linking South-East Asia, India, West Asia, and Europe.
- Sharing India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Stack with ASEAN partners.
- Announcing the ASEAN-India fund for Digital Future, focusing on digital transformation and financial connectivity.
- Renewing support for the Economic and Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) as a knowledge partner.
- Advocating for raising issues faced by the Global South in multilateral forums collectively.
- Inviting ASEAN countries to join the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine established by WHO in India.
- Collaborating on Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environmental Sustainability).
- Sharing India’s experience in providing affordable and quality medicines through Jan-Aushadhi Kendras.
- Calling for collective action against terrorism, terror financing, and cyber-disinformation.
- Inviting ASEAN countries to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
- Promoting cooperation in disaster management.
- Enhancing cooperation on maritime safety, security, and domain awareness.
Some of the key highlights of the summit
Indo-Pacific and South China Sea
- PM Modi underlined that peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are in the interest of all nations.
- He advocated for an Indo-Pacific region where international law, including UNCLOS, applies equally to all countries.
- Key principles for the Indo-Pacific include freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce.
- India supports the effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that aligns with UNCLOS and considers the interests of non-involved countries.
ASEAN and QUAD
- PM Modi expressed full support for the “ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”
- He highlighted the unity of vision between India and ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The East Asia Summit was recognized as a crucial platform for implementing the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
- ASEAN’s central position in the vision of the Quad was emphasized, with the Quad’s positive agenda complementing ASEAN mechanisms.
QUAD |
| · QUAD is an informal group of India, the US, Japan and Australia.
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| · It is a strategic dialogue with the objective to ensure a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo Pacific.
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| · Shared values between the nations are: Political democracies; Market economies; and Pluralistic societies. |
United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) |
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| Adoption Year | · 1982 |
| Objectives | · Establish jurisdictional limits over ocean areas.
· Facilitate technology and wealth transfer from developed to underdeveloped nations. · Require parties to implement regulations and laws to control marine pollution. |
| Signatory Country | · India (signed UNCLOS in 1982) |
| Institutions Created by UNCLOS | · International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS): An independent judicial body established by UNCLOS to adjudicate disputes arising out of the convention.
· International Seabed Authority (ISA): A UN body responsible for regulating the exploration and exploitation of marine non-living resources in international waters. · Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS): Facilitates the implementation of UNCLOS regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. |
