ABSTRACT
Since its formation in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) has emerged as one of the most vibrant and strong regional groupings in the world. Consequently, countries of Asia and other regions initiated efforts to improve relations with this regional group. Two major Asian countries, China and India, made calibrated moves to improve their economic and other engagements with ASEAN. While China’s presence in the region has significantly increased with a trade volume between both sides having reached to $570 billion, ASEAN countries are concerned about China’s increasing assertive posturing in the South China Sea. On the other hand, ASEAN countries do not only enjoy a strong historical and cultural bound, but they also want India to play a pivotal role in the region. Certainly, China’s efforts to encircle India in South Asia and the Indian Ocean among other factors has led India to its economic and security engagement with ASEAN under the Act East Policy. It is in this context that this chapter tries to understand the direction and nature of the triangular relationship among India, ASEAN, and China.
