19 India-Southeast Asia Relations

Dr. Ashok Attri

Structure of the Module

1. Introduction

2. Objectives

3. Historical Evolution

3.1. The Period of Close Friendship

3.2. The Period of Decreasing Influence

3.3. The Period of Emerging Ties and New Parameters

3.3.1. Southeast Asia’s Importance in Changed Scenario

3.3.2. Political Relations

3.3.3. Strategic Relations

3.3.4. Economic Relations

3.3.5 Cultural Relations

4. Conclusion

5. Important Questions

6. Suggested Readings

1. Introduction

India has great historical ties with ‘Southeast Asia.’ Both the areas came into close contact when ‘Buddhism’ spread all across the Asian Continent, particularly in Southeast Asia. In pre-independence phase, these countries of Southeast Asia had played a greater role in Indian struggle for freedom against British rule. This region was the epicentre of Indian National Army (INA) activities which was formed by Netaji Subash Chander Bose. Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in ‘Brussels Conference (1927)’ and Nehru’s idea of ‘Pan-Asiatic Federation (1930)’ had brought the India and these countries in close contacts. India enjoyed a great support from this region.

The post ‘Second World war’ period had seen the emergence of new countries on the world’s stage. With the ongoing nation-building activities combined with global politics had created complex situation in international relations as well. This region also remained a hotbed for power struggle in these years. In post cold war period, this area again has emerged as the centre of attraction due to its strategic location and economic growth. The Southeast Asia is surrounded by emerging powers of 21st century i.e. China, India and Japan. Besides, United State of America and Russia are not too far away. It is assumed that the Asia-Pacific region is going to emerge as the centre of International politics in this new century. For India, the ‘Southeast Asia’ has always remained an area of high priority due to historical, political, cultural, geographical and economic reasons. These new emerging trends are going to provide prospects and problems as well for India. Hence for a realistic understanding of interactions between India and these countries, it will be better to analyse these relationship in this background.

2. Objectives

Through this module an effort will be made to apprise the students about the real nature of India’s relations with Southeast Asia. This region is to be considered next hotbed for power struggle in the 21st century. India as an immediate neighbor could not remain mere spectator in this scenario. It could not take risk to ignore this region in its policy orientation. It is a well known fact that a country’s foreign policy does not evolve all of a sudden rather it is a product of numerous factors and forces. Bilateral ties between India and the countries of Southeast Asia are no exception to this phenomenon. Therefore, it becomes imperative to understand and evaluate the historical perspective about the origin of their relationship. Besides, this is also important to know about the issues of convergences and divergences in these years. By doing so, one can analyze the real nature of India’s relations with the countries of Southeast Asia. This will not only prove beneficial for the students, but foreign policy architects and strategists could also use basic clues in policy formulation.

3. Historical Evolution

India and Southeast Asia have great civilization contacts in history. ‘Buddhism’ reached in every corner of this region and made influenced on the whole society. In British period, these contacts were further groomed and became richer and deeper. In pre-independence period, Nehru participated in the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities together his idea of Pan-Asiatic Federation. It was the clue of close affinity between the nationalist organizations in Asia. These efforts brought the leaders of freedom struggle in these countries altogether. Besides, this region was the epicentre of Indian National Army (INA) activities which was formed by Netaji Shubash Chandra Bose. The Southeast Asia had provided all types of assistance to this nationalist group. In post Second World war period, this area has remained an area of high priority for Indian policy makers due to political, economic and strategic stakes. India established its links with all the countries of Southeast Asia and showed great maturity in mutual relationship. But it did not go long with this positive feeling, ‘Cold War politics’ also hampered this relationship. Both the regions could not take much benefit of this healthy start of mutual ties. In the post-Cold War period, India’s foreign policy shows much enthusiasm towards Southeast Asia under the slogans of much talked ‘Look-East-Policy’. Both, India and Southeast Asia, gained some lost ground by re-energizing these mutual ties in this changed scenario. For a proper understanding, this history of relations can be divided into following parts: (i) The Period of Close Friendship (1947-1955). (ii) The Period of Decreasing Influence (1996-1991. (iii) The period of Emerging Ties and New Parameters (1992 onwards)

3.1. The Period of Close Friendship

India’s relations with Southeast Asia in this early phase remained very close and cordial as expected before. Historical legacies played a vital role in consolidation of these ties. The other factors behind this mutual understanding are as follows:

India as a Role Model: India was considered as the chief architect of self-identity, self rule and self-governance in most the Southeast Asian states due to its long fought battle against British Imperialism. Most of these countries were also under the rule of Western countries. Myanmar and Malaysia were also under the British rule at that time. Besides, Indonesia, Indo-china and Philippines were ruled by Dutch, French and Spain &USA respectively. India raised the issue of ‘colonialism and self rule’ in Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in ‘Brussels Conference (1927)’. Besides, this meeting brought the leaders altogether to fight against this foreign rule. India’s independence raised the feelings of self-rule in the masses of these states and ultimately prepared the platform for the smooth transition of governance to their own hand.

Nehru’s Idea of Pan-Asiatic Federation: Indian National Congress and its leader Nehru was the firm believer of Pan-Asiatic Federation for all Asian countries. Two Asian conferences i.e. March 1947 and January 1949 were held with the direct Indian initiatives. ‘Bandung conference’ (1955) of Afro-Asian countries had proved to be decisive one that brought all these states in a close contact. India raised the issue of the freedom in these countries of Southeast Asia at every platform. This made a positive gesture of India in this region.

Bilateral Initiatives: India also emphasised on the close bilateral contacts to individual countries of this region. Leaders, diplomats and traders of both India and these countries of Southeast Asia paid reciprocal visits to each other during these years. Various treaties and agreements were signed in the field of trade, commerce and strategic partnership. India signed ‘Friendship treaties’ with Indonesia on 3 March 1951, with Myanmar on 7 July 1951 and with Philippines on 11 July 1952. Besides, trade agreements with Indonesia and Vietnam reflected the Indian policy activism more clearly at initial stage.

Policy of Non-alignment: India’s policy of non-alignment had also provided some much awaited comfort for these new entrants in international politics. India’s role in ‘Korean conflict’ (1953) and in ‘Vietnam’ (1954) had further consolidated its position in the Southeast Asian framework. Most of these countries were ready to work together with India without any hesitation as both had the commonality in various aspects. Hence, convergence emerged between India and Southeast Asia on the pertaining issues during this period.

3.2. The Period of Decreasing Influence

The initial good beginning of India-Southeast Asia could not be transformed into long term gains. Political leadership could not perform in desired direction. India and Southeast Asia relationship got serious setback in the decade of late sixty. The detail analyse of emerging trends could tell the entire story.

In the last phase of the decade of 1960s, Nehru slightly changed his vision towards the emerging fragile International political scenario. It diverted his attention from the close and friendly neighbouring states. He couldn’t pay much attention towards this region. This created a space between India and Southeast Asia. Besides, some type of misperceptions already aroused between Nehru and President Sukarno of Indonesian on the issues of World Peace, imperialism and colonialism. All these things created riffle in mutual relationships between India and Southeast Asia.

India fought two wars with its neighbours in this period. Sino-India war of 1962 and Indo-Pak war of 1965 proved to be litmus test for Indian-Southeast Asia relationship. It created rupture in mutual cordial ties. Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia remained neutral in Sino-Indian war of 1962. Whereas countries of US military block like Thailand, Philippines and South Vietnam took this conflict into a broad spectrum of competitive-influence-building measures. Democratic republic of Vietnam directly linked itself with China despite India’s assistance in its emergence.

In Indo-Pak war of 1965, the major Southeast Asian states took anti-India stand. Indonesia not only provided moral and economic assistance to Pakistan but also declared India as invader state. Other Southeast Asian countries were also no more supporter of India at this juncture. With this attitude how India could remained friendly with these countries? Hence, it created space between the two.

The decade of 1970s was not different from earlier decade in India- Southeast Asian ties. Cold War politics now started to influence India’s stake in this region. A brief understanding of these trends is given below:

Indo-Soviet Treaty: In the shadow of ‘Bangladesh’ crises, India signed the treaty of ‘Friendship and cooperation’ (1971) with Soviet Union. It created suspicion in Western block led by USA. Most of the countries of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines were collaborating with USA at strategic and economic fore. Hence, these countries followed the policy of alienation towards India in mutual relationship.

Changed US-China equation: United State of America was trying to strengthen its ties with China in this changed equation. In ‘Vietnam war’, this combination came to forefront and influenced the regional politics. ASEAN and Vietnam emerged as the two rival groups in Southeast Asia. India was the great supporter of Vietnam. This equation put India in opposite side and created contradictions in the mind of the ASEAN leadership.

India’s Role in ‘Afghanistan and Cambodian Crises: Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and Vietnam intervention in Cambodia were the two hostile activities which occurred in Indian extended neighbourhood at the same period. India remained reluctant to play any major role under the non-alignment movement in these conflicts. India’s response was understood a bit of dubious by US camp and particularly by ASEAN members. India recognised Vietnam supported Heg Saamrin government in Cambodia in July 1980. All the ASEAN members raised the serious questions about Indian non-aligned posture. This created the distance between India and these countries.

India’s Maritime Activities in Indian Ocean: India was trying to secure its maritime interests in Indian Ocean in the decade of 1980s. It expanded its naval capabilities by deploying submarine and warheads there. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia saw it as an instrument of struggle for power in this region. They expressed their deep concerns to Indian leadership. Although, India already had expressed its deep commitment towards peace and stability in Indian Ocean., yet this created some dissent in mutual understanding between the two.

3.3. The Period of Emerging Ties and New Parameters

The end of ‘Cold War’ had changed dynamics of international politics. New approaches and dimensions came to forefront to understand these dynamics. Southeast Asia has gained much importance in new dynamics of international arena. The entire major stakeholder has started to develop their relations with the countries of Southeast Asia. This region got much awaited importance at this juncture. The main factors behind this activism are discussed below:

3.3.1. Southeast Asia’s Importance in Changed Scenario

Southeast Asia has become important in post-Cold period due to its strategic location, economic growth and regional grouping. A brief understanding of these issues is herewith:

Strategic Location: Though, demarcation of this region is not as easy as understood, yet this area in Asia-Pacific is stretched from Vladivostok (Russia) in North to Australia in South and from Indian Subcontinent in West to Japan in Far East. In the 21st century calculations, this region is assumed as the area of strategic, political and economic importance. Three regional economic powers China, Japan and India border this region. USA and Russia are not far miles away. All these strategic features make this region very important from strategic point of view. China’s new initiative of ‘maritime Silk route, South China Sea oil game and land row over disputed sea plateaus have made this region very fertile.

Economic Alignment: Southeast Asia has emerged an area of economic viability in post-Cold War period. Most of the countries including USA, Russia and European Union were facing recession in this era of globalisation, yet Southeast Asian countries showed stability in their economies. Per man capita in double digit was showing positive sign in most of the countries of this region. Consumer goods industry has shown greater growth, hence demanded capital and markets more from outside Wold also. Besides, oil reverses in Sea areas, especially in South China Sea, is also going to become important issue in the coming years. This region might be emerging a centre of attraction for economic activities in future.

Regional Grouping: With the demise of erstwhile Soviet Union, regional grouping came to forefront for economic exploration throughout the globe. ASEAN has gained much more reputation in comparison of other economic regional groups. Other stake holders like China, Japan, India, USA and Russia are also trying to become partner of this association. Hence, this region had emerged as the centre of multi-lateral economic interaction in this global era.

Population as Resource: Southeast Asia combined with adjoining states has emerged as most populated region. Seventy percent of World population was residing in this region in 2010 as eight out of ten most populated countries is related to this region. This has the direct bearings positive as well as negative, on international setup.

All these issues are going to influence international relationship in this regional spectrum. India’s policy towards Southeast Asia found some success to re-establish its cordial and close ties with these countries in post-cold period. Due to changed strategic and economic milieu, both India and the countries of Southeast Asia improved their relations for political, economic and strategic gain. For a better understanding, these initiatives are discussed herewith:

3.3.2. Political Relations

Traditional issues of contradiction like Afghanistan conflict and Cambodia had become irrelevant in this period. India and Southeast Asia have also started to improve relationship with changed approach. With the ‘Look-East Policy’ and recently used term ‘Act-East policy’, India has come up with more concrete planning with this region. ASEAN found much needed importance in this India’s ‘Look-East Policy’. Top leadership of India had visited in these countries for political understanding. Indian Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao visited Indonesia in 1992, Thailand in 1993, Vietnam and Singapore in 1994 and Malaysia in 1995. Indian President also visited Philippines in 1999. Besides, academicians, traders and bureaucrats also visited this region for mutual partnership. Various governmental and non–governmental organisations have also established links in political spheres, for instance, Institute of Defence Study and Analysis (IDSA) had become the dialogue member of Council for Security and Cooperation of Asia-Pacific (CSCAP).

Southeast Asian leaderships had also paid reciprocal visits to India. Prime Minister of Thailand visited India in October 1991, Prime Ministers of Malaysia visited in1993, 1994 and 1997. President and Prime Minister of Singapore visited India in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Indonesian Prime Minister’s visit took place in 1994. Prime Minister of Cambodia also visited India in 1996. The visits of Philippines’ President and Vietnam’s Prime Minister took place in 1997.

These cordial initiatives opened the door for India’s entry into ASEAN as ‘Regional Dialogue Partner’ in 1992 and full dialogue partner in 1995. This warmth in relationship continued in next year also as India also clubbed in ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996. India and countries of Southeast Asia have been engaged in fruitful political interaction since then.

3.3.3. Strategic Relations

India and Southeast Asia have also emerged as strategic partner in this Post-Cold War period. China’s emergence as next superpower and its overlapping policies had created some doubts in these countries. Its activities in South-China Sea and perception regarding disputed sea plateaus are major issues of concern for both India and Southeast Asia. Its disputes with Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan rang the alarm of danger in strategic field. They see India as a true strategic partner in his situation as latter has no history of nefarious design in its foreign relations.

With settlement of Cambodia’s problem and role of Indian Peace Keeping Forces in it, no disputed issue is pending in the way of better engagement between India and Southeast Asia. Military to military cooperation and joint novel exercise with Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore has opened the door for further strategic partnership in this region. Besides, India is also expanding its strategic partnership at bilateral level. India and Malaysia had signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic partnership. India will provide training to Malaysian air forces, military hardware and services of mig-29 fighter plane. Malaysia also offered to establish joint undertaking in the areas of defence hardware and equipments.

India and Singapore had regularly taken part in joint naval exercise. Besides, it also testified its missile programme from India’s test range, Chandipur. Indonesia had also manifested its interest to cooperate in space aviation. Thailand and Vietnam had also taken keen interests in defence ties with India.

Hence, India and Southeast Asia are showing deep interests in strategic ties in post-Cold War period. This collaboration is going to strengthen in the new scenario in the shadow of China’s emerging threat in this region.

3.3.4. Economic Relations

Economic alignment has replaced the political one in this post-Cold war period. India and Southeast Asia have also changed their stance due to economic needs. Trade, technology, direct investment, and open market prevails in the emerging ties of both. India’s ‘Look East Policy’ is the great example of India’s changing perception towards this region. Southeast Asia also showed goodwill gesture by providing India ‘regional dialogue partner’ and ‘full dialogue partner’ of ASEAN in this changed scenario.

As far as trade is concerned, it is also showing smooth growth since 1991. In the financial year of 1990-1991, India’s total trade with Southeast Asia was of $2,222 million with import of $1,474 million and export of $ 748 million dollar. It reached at the total of $9,002 million dollar in the financial year of 1999-2k. It reached all time high in the year of 2008-09, total of $45,392 million dollars with the import of $26,202 million and export of $19,140 million dollars. The given data shows the trade balance against India in these years.

In the area of foreign direct investment, Southeast Asia has emerged as major investor as a region in India in post-cold war period. Thailand has emerged as a major Southeast Asian country investor with total Rs. 10 billion capital investment followed by Singapore with Rs. 5.5 billion, Malaysia with Rs. 4.4 billion, and Indonesia with Rs. 1.2 billion in Indian market. All these data show the bright picture of mutual economic interaction between India and Southeast Asia.

In the year of 1997, most of the Southeast Asian countries faced economic recession in their economies, India, despite limited resources, gave relaxation to these countries in following items:

Southeast Asia can import engineering item, machinery and Iron without any delay.

Economic Assistance to Import-Export bank.

Cooperation in the human resource development. Import based on commodity exchange.

India and Southeast Asia have shown great mutual understanding in dealing their economic interests in these years, but trade still remains far bellow from real potentials. There is great need to revive these relations according to the new emerging trends of 21st century.

3.3.5. Cultural Relations

India found itself very close to Southeast Asia on historical bases, as this area remained a main destination of frequent visitors from India. ‘Buddhism’ still prevailed here in many areas. A huge strength of ‘People of Indian origin’ (PIO) still resides in these countries. Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar have the huge population of PIO and hence create the healthy environment towards India. This cultural bonding should be revived for the sake of better relations. These cultural bonds have ultimately prepared platform for better understanding on the issues of political, economic and strategic nature.

4. Conclusion

India and Southeast Asia have emerged on the world stage with high expectations in post- Second World War period. But, these expectations could not be materialized in initial period. Despite its historical and cultural links, India’s foreign policy largely ignored the Southeast Asia. In cold war period also, India’s ties with Southeast Asia have not shown much enthusiasm due to global and regional politics. But in post cold war period, economic interests compelled both India and Southeast Asia to come closer to enhance available opportunities. India has developed mutual understanding with Southeast Asia in political and economic spheres under its policy of ‘Look-East’ in these years. Southeast Asia also developed these linkages by providing India the membership of ASEAN Regional Form (ARF) and facility of ‘dialogue partner’ of ASEAN. China’s emergence in a new looks raised serious questions in this entire region. A convergence on this issue brings India and Southeast Asia very close in their relationship. It demands a gradual strengthening of security ties among India and countries of this region. They see India as a balancer in view of China’s growing influence in this region. Although, India has improved its position in political, economic and strategic interaction with this region, yet it will have to do a lot to become a reliable strategic partner of Southeast Asia.

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Suggested Readings

A Books/Articles

A. Appadorai and M.S.Rajan, India’s Foreign Policy and Relations, New Delhi, South Asian Publishers, 1985.
K. Raja Reddy, ed. India and ASEAN: Foreign Policy Dimensions for the 21st Century, New Delhi, New Century, 2005.
M.L. Sondhi and K.G. Tyagi ed., Asia-Pacific: Security, Globalization and Development, New Delhi, Manas, 2001.
NS Sisodia & Sreeradre Datta ed., Changing Security Dynamics in Southeast Asia, Megnum Book, New Delhi, 2008.
Parkash Nanda, Rediscovering Asia: Evolution of India’s Look East Policy, New Delhi, Lancer, 2003.
R.S.Yadav & Suresh Dhanda, eds., India’s Foreign Policy: Contemporary Trends, New Delhi, Shipra, 2009.
R.S.Yadav, Bharat Ki Videsh Niti, New Delhi, Pearson, 2013

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