Recall the Article on Colonization of Asia. We had seen how the British, French and Americans had colonized almost entire South Asia.
After Second World War, most of these colonies attained independence. But they also had internal dispute regarding territories and borders.
One such dispute was Indonesia-Malaysia conflict over the Borneo islands.
This conflict + the then ongoing Vietnam War raised fears of increased external involvement in the newly independent states.
They feared that south east region would become a theatre of western vs. communist ideologies
Hence they decided to form a common platform:
To resolve bilateral issues among themselves
Present a collective front to the world.
1967, five countries signed “Bangkok declaration” to form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), later another 5 joined. Thus today ASEAN has 10 members
List of 10 ASEAN nations
Indonesia (ASEAN HQ is here, in Jakarta)
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Brunei
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Myanmar
Musyawarah & Mufakat
ASEAN follows the principle of “ASEAN way”. Meaning,
Musyawarah And Mufakat [deliberation and consensus]
don’t use force/confrontation
don’t interfere in the internal matters of states
Informal discussion
minimal institutionalization
To achieve “the ASEAN way”, Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) was signed.
TAC Treaty
It provides the guiding principles of ASEAN
they’ll not interfere in the internal affairs of one another,
they’ll not use threat or use of force to settle differences / disputes
they’ll settle of differences or disputes by peaceful means,
They’ll effectively cooperate among themselves.
they’ll mutually respect each other’s’ independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity
Every State has right lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion,
India had signed TAC treaty with ASEAN in 2003.
Timeline: Growth of ASEAN since 90s
1994 ASEAN regional forum (ARF). already discussed in separate article click me
1997 ASEAN+3 is formed to increase regional integration. This includes
China
Japan
South Korea
2002 Treaty to control haze pollution in South East Asia
2006 ASEAN gets observer status in UNGA (General assembly)
2007 Cebu declaration for energy securities and renewable energy.
2010 Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI)
It is a currency swap agreement among ASEAN +3,
It provides emergency liquidity to those economies during crises.
2012
Asean Human Rights Declaration
21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh Combodia with theme:“ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny”
2013
22nd ASEAN summit in Brunei, theme: Our People, Our Future Together.
2015 ASEAN community will be setup.
ASEAN Community (2015)
Similar to European Union. will be setup in 2015 and will have three pillars
ASEAN Political Security Community
ASEAN Economic Community
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
ASEAN Performance: GOOD
ASEAN has a mixed record of achievements since its formation.
ASEAN performed well here:
Peace Successfully maintaining peace in the region. e.g. during Thailand and Cambodia conflict over Preah Vihear temple (2011)
Economy Has made comprehensive deals like
ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Area(ACIA)
Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI)
Aims to setup the ASEAN Economic Community 2015, having a single market and production base.
ASEAN Performance: NOT so GOOD
ASEAN didnot perform well here
Economy ASEAN Failed to prevent the 1997 financial crisis.
Human rights
ASEAN has been too soft on the authoritarian regime of Myanmar.
Despite call from international community it didn’t suspend Myanmar or put economic sanction on it during the military regime’s crackdown on peaceful protestors.
2012: ASEAN released declaration on Human rights. But led to lot of protests from civil society and NGOs. They terms it as just another piece of paper.
Environment
In 2002, ASEAN came up with Treaty to control haze pollution in South East Asia. still there w
