ASEAN matters more to India as its role in Indo-Pacific region grow: Singapore FM

ASEAN will matter even more to New Delhi as India’s economy and its role in the Indo-Pacific region grow, according to Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

“As the Indian economy grows, as its markets or its exports and even its need for energy and other resources, India has got strategic interests, not just in the Indian Ocean, but across into the Asia Pacific as well,” the visiting Minister said on sidelines of special India-ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet in New Delhi.

“And because ASEAN is right in the middle of it, ASEAN matters even more to India.”


The meeting confirmed that ASEAN matters even more to India, said Balakrishnan.

“And in fact, we’ve got so much opportunity to do more by integrating our economies. We've got so many opportunities in the digital space, we've got great opportunities in terms of green technologies, sustainable development, carbon markets.

“I am convinced, and it's not just my view, but this is reflecting the view of the Indian government, that ASEAN matters even more to India.”

India is keen on building a highway that would connect the country to Myanmar, Thailand and onward into Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, which will accelerate and increase economic opportunities, according to Balakrishnan.