ABSTRACT
India's mammoth market size, its fast-growing economy, and geographical proximity make India a naturally attractive partner for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. This chapter seeks to develop theoretical perspectives linking inclusive socio-economic development dynamics with the buoyancy in cross-border trade and investment in the region and lays out an illustrative roadmap of sustainable and vibrant economic partnership that generates self-reinforcing positive feedback on the inclusive development and growth dynamics in socio-economic spaces in partner countries. In view of the contiguity of ASEAN countries with India, the intra-industry trade of these global manufacturing companies can flourish in the ASEAN–India region under the ASEAN–India economic partnership that will generate new employment opportunities for millions of common people in the region. ASEAN countries such as Indonesia and Brunei who have fossil fuel reserves can use India's expanding refinery capacities and develop win-win business alliances under the umbrella of the ASEAN–India economic partnership.
