TTLV: India-ASEAN Relations (2014-2024)

               INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name: NGUYEN HOANG ANH

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: February 10, 1984

4. Place of birth: Kim Lien Commune, Nghe An Province.

5. Decision No. 3057/QD-XHNV dated June 18, 2024, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis title: India-ASEAN Relations (2014-2024)

8. Major: International Relations; Code: 8310601.01

9. Scientific supervisor:

- Dr. Quách Thị Huệ -Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences

- Dr. Ngo Tuan Thang - Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of the thesis results: The thesis has systematically analyzed the relatively comprehensive development of India-ASEAN relations during the period 2014-2024 across the main areas of political-diplomatic relations, economic-trade relations, defense-security relations, culture-education, and science-technology. The most notable milestone was the upgrading of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022, reflecting a significant increase in political trust and strategic engagement. High-level contact mechanisms, summits, and specialized dialogues are regularly maintained, further affirming ASEAN's central role in India's regional policy. Economically, bilateral trade has increased significantly, from approximately US$70 billion in 2014 to over US$131 billion in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. However, economic relations still face some limitations, such as India's persistent trade deficit, an unbalanced exchange structure, and low levels of value chain integration. In the defense and security sector, cooperation has gradually shifted from dialogue to substantive action, focusing on naval exercises, maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, and responding to non-traditional security challenges. Cooperation in education, culture, and science and technology continues to expand, contributing to strengthening the social foundation of bilateral relations.

The novelty of this thesis lies in clarifying the shift from the "Look East" policy to the "Act East" policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is not merely a change in name but reflects a transition from a primarily economic approach to a holistic strategic mindset. The thesis also highlights the multi-layered nature of India-ASEAN relations, demonstrated through a combination of cooperation with the entire bloc and enhanced bilateral relations with member states such as Vietnam and Singapore.

Besides the achievements, the thesis identifies obstacles such as India's caution regarding deep economic integration, its withdrawal from RCEP, and limitations in infrastructure connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia. For Vietnam, the thesis proposes leveraging its bridging role, diversifying foreign relations, strengthening maritime defense and security cooperation, and promoting cultural diplomacy, education, and tourism. Through this, the India-ASEAN relationship is affirmed as an important factor contributing to the promotion of multipolarity and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

11. Practical applications: This thesis provides significant practical value for foreign policy planning and international relations research. Specifically:Policy direction:The research findings provide practical insights to help Vietnam and ASEAN adjust their foreign policy strategies, especially in leveraging policy."Act East"of India to optimize national interests.Promoting substantive cooperation:This thesis serves as a reference document for relevant agencies to propose specific measures for expanding trade turnover, attracting investment, and strengthening maritime defense and security cooperation.Strategic balance:Helping Vietnam position its role"bridge"This strategy aims to diversify foreign relations and avoid dependence on any single superpower amidst the complex US-China competition.Developing soft power:This work offers implications for promoting cultural diplomacy, education, and digital transformation, helping to build a sustainable social foundation for bilateral relations. In short, this work is invaluable for policymakers, researchers, and businesses in seeking opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam, ASEAN, and India.

12. Future research directions: Focus on forecasting cooperation trends in the next decade, linked to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045; delve into new areas such as the digital economy, green transformation, cybersecurity, and solutions to promote substantive infrastructure connectivity.

13. Published works related to the thesis: None. 

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Hoang Anh 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: February 10, 1984 4. Place of birth: Nghe An

5. Admission decision number: 3057/QD-XHNV Dated June 18, 2024

6. Changes in academic process: 

7. Official thesis title: India - ASEAN Relations (2014 - 2024)

8. Major: International Relations…………......9. Code: 8310601.01

10. Supervisors:

-Dr. Quach Thi Hue, Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies (ISAWAAS), Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS).

-Dr. Ngo Tuan Thang, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH).

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis: The thesis provides a systematic and relatively comprehensive analysis of the development of India - ASEAN relations from 2014 to 2024 across the fields of politics and diplomacy, economics and trade, defense and security, culture and education, and science and technology. The most significant milestone during this period was the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022, reflecting a marked increase in political trust and strategic engagement. High-level exchanges, summit meetings, and sectoral dialogues were maintained on a regular basis, while ASEAN's central role in India's regional policy continued to be reaffirmed. In economic terms, bilateral trade expanded significantly, rising from approximately USD 70 billion in 2014 to more than USD 131 billion in the 2022 - 2023 financial year. Nevertheless, economic relations continue to face several limitations, including India's persistent trade deficit, an imbalanced trade structure, and a relatively low level of integration into regional value chains. In the field of defense and security, cooperation gradually escalates from dialogue to more substantive activities, with a focus on naval exercises, maritime security, counterterrorism, disaster relief, and responses to non-traditional security challenges. Cooperation in education, culture, science, and technology also continued to expand, contributing to the consolidation of the social foundations of the relationship.

The thesis's original contribution lies in clarifying the transition from India's “Look East” Policy to its “Act East” Policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This transition represents not merely a change in terminology, but also a shift from a dominant economic approach towards a more comprehensive strategic orientation. The thesis also highlights the multi-layered nature of India - ASEAN relations, as reflected in the combination of cooperation with ASEAN as a regional organization and the strengthening of bilateral ties with individual member states, particularly Vietnam and Singapore.

Alongside these achievements, the thesis identifies several major obstacles, including India's cautious approach to deeper economic integration, its withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and persistent limitations in infrastructure connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia. With regard to Vietnam, the thesis recommends enhancing the country's role as a bridge between India and ASEAN, diversifying its external relations, strengthening defense and maritime security cooperation, and promoting cultural diplomacy, education, and tourism. Overall, India - ASEAN relations are affirmed as an important factor contributing to the advancement of a multipolar regional order and the maintenance of stability in the Indo - Pacific region.

12. Practical applicability, if any: The thesis offers significant practical value for foreign policy formulation and the study of international relations. More specifically:Policy orientation:The research findings provide practical perspectives that may assist Vietnam and ASEAN in adjusting their foreign policy strategies, particularly by making effective use of India's “Act East” Policy to maximize national interests.Promotion of substantive cooperation:The thesis serves as a useful reference for relevant authorities in concrete measures to expand trade turnover, attract maritime investment, and strengthen cooperation in defense and security.Strategic balancing:The study helps Vietnam position itself as a strategic “bridge” between India and ASEAN, thereby diversifying its external relations and avoiding excessive dependence on any single major power amid increasingly complex United States - China strategic competition.Development of soft power:The thesis offers policy implications for promoting cultural diplomacy, education, and digital transformation, thus contributing to the establishment of a sustainable social foundation for bilateral relations. In summary, the study provides a valuable reference for encouraging researchers, and businesses seeking opportunities to strengthen cooperation among Vietnam, ASEAN, and India.

13. Further research directions, if any: Future studies should focus on forecasting cooperation trends over the next decade in alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Greater attention should also be given to emerging areas such as the digital economy, green transformation, cybersecurity, and practical solutions for strengthening infrastructure connectivity.

14. Thesis-related publications: No.