📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Vice President's Secretariat
International
India Proposes US‑China Alternative to ASEAN
✍️ scmp.com
🗓 01 Aug 2026, 07:49 AM
👁 6
India has announced a new initiative offering ASEAN member states an alternative to the US‑China dynamic, aiming to strengthen regional ties and provide a balanced partnership.
India has unveiled a new initiative aimed at offering the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) an alternative to the prevailing US‑China rivalry in the region. The proposal, announced by senior Indian officials, seeks to position India as a strategic partner that can provide economic, security and diplomatic engagement without aligning with either superpower.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns that ASEAN’s foreign policy is increasingly shaped by the tug‑of‑war between Washington and Beijing. By presenting itself as a neutral counterweight, India hopes to deepen ties with member states such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
India’s proposal includes enhanced trade cooperation, joint infrastructure projects, and a framework for regional security dialogues. The government has indicated that it will support ASEAN initiatives on connectivity, digital economy, and climate resilience.
While the details of the framework are still being worked out, the announcement signals India’s intent to play a more prominent role in Southeast Asian affairs and to offer a balanced alternative to the dominant US‑China influence.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns that ASEAN’s foreign policy is increasingly shaped by the tug‑of‑war between Washington and Beijing. By presenting itself as a neutral counterweight, India hopes to deepen ties with member states such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
India’s proposal includes enhanced trade cooperation, joint infrastructure projects, and a framework for regional security dialogues. The government has indicated that it will support ASEAN initiatives on connectivity, digital economy, and climate resilience.
While the details of the framework are still being worked out, the announcement signals India’s intent to play a more prominent role in Southeast Asian affairs and to offer a balanced alternative to the dominant US‑China influence.