All 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have conveyed their desire to India that they strategically play a more vocal role in the important Indo-Pacific region.
They also recognized the country’s growing stature in ensuring regional peace and stability. When asked in a press conference by Secretary (East) Preeti Saran in the Ministry of External Affairs, it was asked if the ASEAN leaders advocated a more vocal role for India in the Indo-Pacific region, then they said, ‘Yes’. That China is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
On being asked that in view of China’s expansion in the region, leaders of ASEAN countries want India to play a more active role in the Indo-Pacific, Saran said that India-ASEAN relations have remained on their own. He said, “All the leaders (in the Indo-Pacific region) have conveyed their willingness to India’s larger participation.” The ASEAN countries desire to play a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific region, because the tensions between China and ASEAN member countries are increasing on the issue of the South China Sea dispute.
