ASEAN and India: The Way Forward

India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992. In 1995, India became a full Dialogue Partner. In 2002, ASEAN and India held their first Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since then, a bilateral summit has been held annually.India's relations with Southeast Asia date back a thousand years. There are many cultural, religious and people-to-people linkages between India and the 10 ASEAN-member countries. Trade and investment ties have also grown since the opening of the Indian economy in the early 1990s. Relations are good but not optimal.ASEAN-India: Tryst with Destiny? hopes to inspire policymakers on both sides to understand the multifaceted relationship and explore ways to raise the bilateral ties to a higher peak.The book first traces the evolution of ASEAN-India relations over the centuries. It then examines the many areas of convergence between ASEAN and India as well as their key divergences. The final part explores the emerging areas where ASEAN and India can deepen their cooperation.