Why in the News?

ASEAN Centrality is under growing strain from great-power rivalry, trade tensions, and a shifting order requiring bold reforms and deeper partnerships in Indo-pacific Region.

About ASEAN

• Genesis: Established in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
• Aims: Accelerate regional economic and cultural progress; Promote peace, stability, and the rule of law; Foster collaboration across education, trade, agriculture, and industry.
• Secretariat: Jakarta (Indonesia).
• Member Countries:10 countries (see map)
  • Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are founding members.
• ASEAN Summit: It is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the Heads of State or Government of ASEAN Member States.
• Article 1.15 of the ASEAN Charter emphasises that the grouping's primary goal is to uphold the centrality and active role of ASEAN as the main driving force behind its relations and cooperation with external partners.

Relevance of ASEAN Centrality in the Region

• Security and Stability: Through forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM- Plus), ASEAN provides space for defence, maritime, and security dialogue involving both member and external powers.
• Economic Integration: RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) was ASEAN-led, strengthening regional trade links across Asia-Pacific.
• Norm-building: E.g., Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), originally meant for Southeast Asian states, has evolved into a key regional framework, with major powers like China, US, and Russia also becoming signatories. 

Threats to ASEAN Centrality

• Great-Power Rivalry: US-China competition risks marginalizing ASEAN, fragmenting regional unity (e.g., BRI vs Indo-Pacific Strategy).
• US tariffs: The tariffs are destabilising the international trade systems crucial for ASEAN economies.
• Overlapping Regional Architectures: New minilateral arrangements such as QUAD and AUKUS (Australia, UK, and US) challenge ASEAN-led security mechanisms like the East Asia Summit, AADMM–Plus etc.
• Internal Divisions: E.g., Vietnam put strong pressure on ASEAN members to confront China whereas Cambodia, along with Laos, have also become increasingly dependent on Chinese infrastructure loans.
• Credibility Crisis: E.g., On the Myanmar crisis, ASEAN has struggled to enforce its "Five-Point Consensus," allowing external powers to step in the Indo-pacific region.
• Weak Institutional Capacity: ASEAN Secretariat's limited resources curtail ambitious initiatives..

Way-forward to Strengthen ASEAN Centrality

• Upgrade ASEAN: ASEAN's Community Vision 2045 and ASEAN Political-Security Community Strategic Plan, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan (2026-2030) marks step in the right direction.
• Cooperate with like-minded partners: E.g., EU seeks Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN and most of its members, is expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific.
• Formal consultation mechanisms: With groupings like the QUAD, proposing joint initiatives on shared concerns, and exploring ways to connect minilateral arrangements with ASEAN-led processes.
• Closer partnership with India: India shares ASEAN's interest in enhancing regional trade, increasing economic diversification, and promoting regional stability. 

Conclusion

ASEAN has emerged as the premier organisation in Southeast Asia. The key approach going forward is to reassert its centrality in Southeast Asian development and progress, in tandem with the commitment of respective member states to avoid being swayed by the strategic ambitions of external powers.