ABSTRACT
A special feature of the Vision Statement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Commemorative Summit is the importance given to the ASEAN-India connectivity. In order to understand the progress of ASEAN-India connectivity, and how it holds the future relationships, this chapter illustrates the rationale behind the ASEAN-India connectivity, in particular the motivations for ASEAN-India connectivity. It discusses the trade flows between ASEAN and India and how they have helped in economic development of both sides as well as how these will cement further such connectivity in the future. The concept of ASEAN connectivity received a major institutional fillip during the 15th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin on 24 October 2009. During the Summit, the ASEAN Leaders held discussions on the imperative for well-knit ASEAN with reference to its advantageous position – bound by India to the west, China, Japan and South Korea to the Northeast, and Australia and New Zealand to the South.
