The India-ASEAN partnership, now in its fourth decade, is a testament to the shared aspirations of the two regions
The term' Vishwabandhu,' translating to 'friend of the world,' is not just a concept but a strategic imperative that has been at the forefront of India's foreign policy under the leadership of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

India's evolution into a 'Vishwabandhu' implies fostering relationships with developing nations and actively engaging and collaborating with the developed world.

This inclusive approach is a powerful declaration that India is prepared to share the global stage, addressing mutual concerns, and advancing developmental cooperation across all spectrums, particularly with members of the Global South.

Relevance of ‘Vishwabandhu’ for ASEAN
The concept of ‘Vishwabandhu’ becomes more relevant for the ASEAN-India partnership if one looks at the three most significant transitions that have shaped the 21st century's international relations and, therefore, have also greatly influenced India's relations with the ASEAN countries.

First, China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001; second, the 2008 financial crisis; and third, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21. Two critical questions are, therefore, how these incidents have influenced the ASEAN-India partnership and how these partners have navigated through these transitions.

First, to effectively address the challenges posed by China's influence, India and ASEAN must prioritise the expansion and fortification of their economic ties. The ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) serves as a critical framework within this context.

It is essential to acknowledge that bilateral trade between ASEAN and India has witnessed a commendable increase over the years. This trend is not merely a positive indicator; it is a vital sign of the potential that lies within their partnership.

This growth should be harnessed and transformed into a robust economic strategy that solidifies their collective position and amplifies their influence in regional and global markets. Second, the 2008 financial crisis served as a pivotal catalyst for transforming the global economic landscape, underscoring the rising significance of emerging markets, particularly India and ASEAN.

This situation demanded that these nations embrace economic diversification as a strategic imperative. In their pursuit of resilience, ASEAN countries identified India as a vital market to mitigate their excessive reliance on Western economies, which the crisis had severely impacted. Likewise, India recognised the potential of ASEAN as a pathway to strengthen its exports and attract essential investments amid a climate of global financial uncertainty.

Focus on infra development, healthcare, and digital transformation
Both ASEAN and India have also prioritized infrastructure projects to facilitate economic recovery and enhance regional connectivity. This focus on infrastructure serves as a mechanism for growth and a bridge fostering deeper economic ties between India and its ASEAN counterparts.

The path forward is clear: A unified approach toward economic diversification and regional connectivity is essential for navigating the complexities of the post-crisis world. Third, the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and health systems, prompting India and ASEAN to deepen their partnership in areas like healthcare, technology, and regional resilience.

India immediately extended its helping hand towards ASEAN in strengthening the healthcare support system. India's Vaccine Maitri initiative supplied vaccines to several ASEAN countries, strengthening its soft power and goodwill. The disruption of global supply chains led India and ASEAN to explore partnerships in supply chain diversification, particularly in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and digital technologies.

Initiatives under the India-ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting focused on enhancing regional economic resilience. The pandemic spurred India and ASEAN to collaborate on digital transformation, including e-commerce, fintech, and digital connectivity. The pandemic reinforced the importance of Indo-Pacific partnership strategies, with India and ASEAN aligning more closely on maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Centrality of ASEAN
The emergence of Indo-Pacific (including initiatives reminiscent of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)) can be considered as another significant outcome of the rising geopolitical tensions The Indo-Pacific framework emphasizes ASEAN's centrality in regional affairs, recognising it as a key player in maintaining the region's peace, stability, and prosperity.

India also supports ASEAN's world vision as it complements its own world strategy. India explicitly supports ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), aligning with its principles of inclusivity, rules-based order, and shared prosperity. The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), launched by India, complements ASEAN's AOIP, providing a platform for joint maritime security, ecology, and resource management efforts.

India has reinforced its maritime security collaboration with ASEAN through joint exercises, capacity-building initiatives, and agreements to combat piracy, illegal fishing, and transnational crimes. The Indo-Pacific framework has given renewed urgency to India-ASEAN connectivity projects, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, aimed at integrating Northeast India with ASEAN.

These projects are also seen as counterweights to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Invariably, (1) infrastructure diplomacy is reshaping global geopolitics, and (2) competing connectivity models challenge older alliances and promote new regional blocs. India's role in the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) also complements ASEAN's efforts to build regional economic resilience. India has also had massive investments in roadways, railways, and ports over the past decade, complemented by initiatives like Bharatmala and Sagarmala to improve logistics efficiency.

Conclusion
The bond between India and ASEAN is deeply rooted in a shared cultural and civilisational heritage, which forms the cornerstone of their enduring partnership. This connection goes beyond geopolitics and economics, offering intrinsic value that strengthens mutual understanding.

India's contributions to restoring heritage sites and conserving traditional art forms reflect a commitment to preserving this shared history. Such efforts nurture deeper cultural ties and enhance people-to-people engagement, creating a strong societal foundation for bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Will this enhanced bond between ASEAN and India strengthen India's claim to become the Vishwabandhu? Looking ahead, the answer is yes. Two things need to be continued: the partnership with immense possibilities and India's support for ASEAN Centrality.

The India-ASEAN partnership, now in its fourth decade, is a testament to the shared aspirations of the two regions. The partnership continues to deepen from active participation in ASEAN-led forums to the progress of bilateral and trilateral initiatives.
Frameworks such as the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) highlight the tangible benefits of collaboration in areas like trade, tourism, and sustainable development. By aligning its strategies with ASEAN's vision, India underscores its role as a trusted partner and a bridge between regions. India's strong emphasis on respect for international law, rules, and norms resonates with ASEAN's principles, reinforcing a mutual commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity.

In the context of the evolving Indo-Pacific framework, India's strategic alignment with ASEAN's vision underscores its role as a reliable partner and a crucial bridge among various regions.

Moreover, India's unwavering emphasis on respect for international law, rules, and norms resonates powerfully with ASEAN's foundational principles, thus reinforcing a mutual commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in a complex world. This alignment positions both entities favourably amid global dynamics and helps India become the ‘Vishwabandhu’ in the years to come.

***The writer is a Consultant at the Research and Information System for Developing countries (RIS); views expressed here are her own