The Impact of Sub-Regional Cooperation on India-ASEAN Relations

India regarded Southeast Asia as a priority area having its strategic, political, economic and cultural significance. For long India enjoyed cultural bonds with the countries of Southeast Asia. With the establishment of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) a most glorious chapter in the history of the Southeast Asian region had begun. In course of time it emerged as a successful regional organization. During cold war years India could not maintain its institutional linkages with ASEAN because of its national preoccupations and international priorities. In the post Cold War era India desired to engage with Southeast Asian countries and launched its Look East Policy. There upon India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992, a Full Dialogue Partner in 1995 and a member of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996. Subsequently India also became a member in two sub regional groupings such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) enhancing its role in firming up India-ASEAN relations.