Latest news with #EastAsiaSummit
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
ASEAN Remains a Credible Partner on Global Stage
By Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains a relevant and credible partner amid increasingly shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics, said Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He emphasised that ASEAN's cohesiveness and commitment to peace and economic cooperation are key to its resilience. bootstrap slideshow 'These elements are what make ASEAN strong together,' he told Bernama in an interview on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in Malaysia's capital last week. He said maintaining regional security and stability is vital for ASEAN to continue to be seen by its external partners as a region of peace and prosperity. He highlighted several ASEAN-led mechanisms that have continued to be the cornerstone of the region's security and peace architecture, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Established in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding code for interstate relations in the region and beyond. As of October 2024, 55 countries are parties to the TAC while several others are also seeking to accede to the treaty. 'We are moving in the right direction. The concept of ASEAN strong together will inspire confidence in the global community that ASEAN is a worthy and credible partner,' said Maris.
New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean remains a credible partner on global stage: Thai minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) remains a relevant and credible partner amid increasingly shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics, said Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He emphasised that Asean's cohesiveness and commitment to peace and economic cooperation are key to its resilience. "These elements are what make Asean strong together," he told Bernama in an interview on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits held in Malaysia's capital last week. He said maintaining regional security and stability is vital for Asean to continue to be seen by its external partners as a region of peace and prosperity. He highlighted several Asean-led mechanisms that have continued to be the cornerstone of the region's security and peace architecture, such as the Asean Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Established in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding code for interstate relations in the region and beyond. As of October 2024, 55 countries are parties to the TAC while several others are also seeking to accede to the treaty. "We are moving in the right direction. The concept of Asean strong together will inspire confidence in the global community that Asean is a worthy and credible partner," said Maris. Asean was founded in Bangkok on August 8, 1967, as a non-aligned regional response to the Cold War, with Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore as founding members. Asean today consists of 10 members after the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Timor-Leste is expected to officially join as its 11th member by the end of this year. With a combined population of almost 700 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$4 trillion, the bloc is on course to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030. Since its establishment, the bloc has continued to evolve to meet the challenges of the times, reflecting its pragmatism and strategic role as a constructive convener of powers. Maris said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted during the summit is a testament to the bloc's ambition and long-term commitment to build a more integrated, prosperous and resilient future. The vision is anchored on three core pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural, and reflects the bloc's inclusive approach to development and integration. The Thai top diplomat also commended Malaysia's role and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership as Asean Chair 2025. "With his guidance, I can see that Asean will move in a correct direction," he added.
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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
India, Australia ties see enormous growth, diversification: Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said India and Australia have witnessed an "enormous deepening and diversification" of bilateral cooperation in the last five years, and reaffirmed commitment to look at areas such as critical minerals, cyber, technology, and space as further domains of collaboration. Addressing an event at the Australian High Commission here to mark the fifth anniversary of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he also said the reason behind this "dosti" has actually been the "strong leadership that we have seen from both countries". Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is on a visit to India, was also present on the occasion. Jaishankar said "here we are -- not just with a transformed relationship", but actually marking five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "I think these have been five great years in our ties. Many more to come," he said. Earlier in the day, the Australian leader said Canberra's relationship with New Delhi is of the "highest priority" and that it is profoundly significant to Australia's national interest. Jaishankar said that in the last five years, "we have seen an enormous deepening and diversification of our cooperation". "So, I am here today to reaffirm, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, a strong commitment to take this relationship to still greater heights, to look at areas like critical minerals, cyber, technology, space, sports as further domains of collaboration, and to work on mechanisms -- most of all the Quad, but in the East Asia Summit platforms, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the United Nations, even the trilateral grouping that we have with France," he said. India and Australia on Wednesday resolved to further boost their strategic ties with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailing Canberra's unequivocal support to New Delhi's resolute response to the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack. Singh held wide-ranging talks with his visiting Australian counterpart focusing on various aspects of bilateral defence cooperation as well as New Delhi's "extreme challenges" along its border with Pakistan. "...Today we saw one example of that as the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the strong sense of solidarity and support that we got when the Pahalgam terrorist attack happened, and I recall that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, despite being in the middle of a very intense election campaign, actually reached out and called Prime Minister Modi to express those sentiments," Jaishankar said in his address.
Business Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Asean must strengthen external ties in new growth areas, even as integration continues: PM Wong
[KUALA LUMPUR] Asean must deepen and expand its external partnerships, especially in new growth areas, even as it steps up its own internal integration, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (May 26). Doing so will help the bloc build a more secure, stable and prosperous region amid an increasingly challenging environment, he said on the first day of the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Noting that Asean was formed at the height of the Cold War, PM Wong said that while the circumstances are different, today's great power rivalry feels like a 'new Cold War'. The bloc must therefore strengthen its integration to ensure it has 'the manoeuvring space and the agency to continue charting our own destiny forward'. To achieve this, Asean must demonstrate value to its partners and reinforce its centrality, he said, suggesting three ways to do so. Strengthening external partnerships The first is to deepen its engagement with existing partners. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up In the region, this includes China, Japan, South Korea and India. Further abroad, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are also 'very keen to do more with Asean', said PM Wong. The bloc should engage them, particularly in new growth areas like the digital and green economy, he added. Asean leaders and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao (far right) meet in Kuala Lumpur for the first day of the Asean Summit. PHOTO: CMG Second, Asean should explore new partnerships as Asia remains at the centre of global growth 'despite all the issues that we face in the world'. 'We are still a region of tremendous dynamism and vitality, and there are many countries that would like to engage South-east Asia in a bigger way,' he said. Even if some of these countries may not be ready to become formal partners, Asean should engage them 'in specific areas where there is mutual interest', he said. The bloc should also explore 'flexible configurations' for cooperation, as it is doing with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Third, Asean should enhance the value of its existing platforms, said PM Wong. One way to do this is to implement the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in 'concrete and practical terms'. 'This can help forge habits of consultation and cooperation, manage differences and prevent outright conflict,' said PM Wong. He added that this must especially be done through the East Asia Summit, which brings together all the major powers with interests in the region. 'Although these platforms cannot solve all the issues, they help to foster collaboration and dialogue,' he said.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean pragmatism counts a lot for gulf council, China
AS the global landscape fractures into hostile camps, marked by trade wars, proxy conflicts and technological decoupling, the search for neutral, pragmatic and strategic platforms intensifies. For two rising poles of influence — the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China — that search increasingly leads to one place: Asean. This pivot towards Southeast Asia is not cosmetic. It reflects a deeper recalibration of international diplomacy and commerce, where Asean's blend of neutrality, strategic centrality and economic vitality makes it an indispensable hub in a divided world. At a time when international summits are increasingly weaponised by ideological battles, Asean stands out for its non-confrontational ethos. Its foundational principle of non-interference, combined with a consensus-based decision-making culture, makes it a rare platform where states from vastly different systems — democratic, authoritarian, capitalist and socialist — can meet without fear of censure. For the GCC, whose ties with the West often oscillate between strategic alignment and normative friction, Asean provides a respectful and non-judgmental setting. China, too, finds in Asean an interlocutor that does not invoke ideological rivalry or historical baggage. In contrast to the tension-prone Indo-Pacific forums dominated by United States allies, Asean offers a corridor of calm engagement. This diplomatic neutrality allows Asean to act as a convener, a bridge-builder, and increasingly, a rule-shaper in forums like the East Asia Summit and the Asean Regional Forum. For the GCC and China, these qualities make Asean not just attractive, but essential. Beyond diplomacy, Asean serves a vital role in connecting the economic strengths of the GCC and China. The Gulf states are energy giants seeking diversified, high-growth markets. Asean countries, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, represent dynamic economies with growing demand for oil, gas and petrochemical products. At the same time, Gulf sovereign wealth funds have begun viewing Asean as a strategic hedge: investing in halal food supply chains, Islamic finance, tourism infrastructure and tech startups. Meanwhile, China sees Asean as the linchpin of its Belt and Road Initiative, particularly its maritime dimension. Ports, railways and highways from Malaysia to Laos to Indonesia are being reimagined as arteries of Chinese connectivity, enabling a flow of goods and influence from East Asia to the Middle East and Africa. Asean's geographic centrality — between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and anchoring key maritime chokepoints — makes it more than a transit point. It is the convergence zone for two of the most ambitious economic strategies of the 21st century. What further deepens the engagement is the civilisational comfort both the GCC and China feel in dealing with Asean. For the Gulf, Asean is home to the world's largest Muslim population, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand and the Philippines offering religious and cultural commonality. Rather than rivalry, there is cooperation in Islamic finance, halal certification and religious education. Gulf states see Asean as a partner in promoting a moderate and modern narrative of Islam. China, though officially secular, approaches Asean with a cultural diplomacy rooted in Confucian ideals of harmony, respect and relational governance. It promotes people-to-people exchanges, scholarships and Confucius institutes as soft pathways of affinity. In contrast to its more adversarial relationships with India, Japan or Australia, China sees Asean as a region with shared developmental goals and manageable historical sensitivities. Perhaps the most profound reason for the GCC's and China's preference for Asean is that it demonstrates how a non-Western model of multilateralism can function effectively. Forums like Asean+3, the East Asia Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are not framed by Western ideologies or power asymmetries. Instead, they reflect a logic of mutual respect, gradualism and functional cooperation. No lectures, no sanctions and no strings attached. For the GCC and China, who have grown increasingly disillusioned with Western-dominated institutions like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and even the United Nations Security Council, Asean-led platforms offer both legitimacy and flexibility. They are not about replacing the West, but creating parallel systems that better reflect the interests of the Global South. Asean in its quiet pragmatism has become a super-connector — a diplomatic and economic axis that binds East Asia, the Gulf and the wider Indo-Pacific.
