30th October 2024

Article: 30^th October, 2024

Topic: India’s Defence Revolution

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Defence

Source: PIB

Context

• India’s defense industry has changed as a result of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat plan, as evidenced by the rise in both domestic and export defense manufacturing.
  
  

India’s defense industry

• The Defence Ministry reports that India’s defense output valued at ₹1,26,887 crore in FY 2023-24 is a 16.7% increase over FY 2022-23 defense production.

• The public sector supplied roughly 79.2% of the total production value in 2023–2024, while the private sector contributed 20.8%.
  – In 2024, India’s defense expenditure of $74.7 billion placed fourth in the world.

• In FY 2023–24, defense exports totaled ₹21,083 crore, a 32.5% increase over the previous fiscal year, when the amount was ₹15,920 crore.
  – India has set a goal to raise $6.02 billion worth of annual defense exports by 2028-29.

• India has produced important defense platforms, including submarines, the Main Battle Tank Arjun, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), the Dhanush Artillery Gun System, and the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
  
  

Benefits of increased defense manufacturing

• Self-defense: India needs to improve its readiness and self-defense because of its adversarial neighbors, China and Pakistan.
• Strategic advantage: India’s geopolitical position as a provider of net security will be strengthened by its independence.
• Technological development: As the defense technology industry advances, it will inevitably spur other businesses, propelling the economy forward.
• Economic drain: India spends 60% of its GDP on imports and only about 3% on defense. This causes a huge financial drain.
• Employment: Many other industries that create jobs will be necessary to support defense manufacture.
  
  

Issues

• Limited Private Sector Involvement: The absence of a favorable financial environment limits the private sector’s ability to contribute to the defense industry, which prevents our defense manufacturing from taking advantage of contemporary design, innovation, and product development.
• Lack of Critical Technology: Inadequate R&D investment, a lack of design skills, and the incapacity to produce significant subsystems and components all hinder domestic manufacturing.
• Lack of Stakeholder Coordination: The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industrial Promotion have overlapping domains, which limits India’s capacity for defense production.

Governmental Efforts to Strengthen Defense

• The list of defense products that require an industrial license has been streamlined under the EXport IDR Act, and the majority of parts and components can now be manufactured without one.
• The awarded industrial license’s initial validity has been extended from three to fifteen years, with the option to extend it by an additional three years on an as-needed basis.
• Government programs that support innovation in the defense and aerospace industry include DTIS (Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme) and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence).
• To encourage exports and liberalize foreign investments, FDI in the defense sector has increased by up to 74% via the Automatic Route and 100% via the Government Route.
• To serve as hubs for defense manufacturing that take advantage of the infrastructure and people resources already in place, the government has created two specific Defence Industrial Corridors in the states of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
• The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has developed a draft Defense Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP) as a guiding document to give the nation’s defense production capabilities a targeted, organized, and substantial boost for exports and self-reliance.
• Through Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the Defence purchase Council (DAC) expanded the “Make in India” campaign in 2021 to include capital purchase bids valued at US$ 1.07 billion (Rs. 7,965 crore) for the modernization and operating requirements of the armed services.

Way Ahead

• To encourage private sector investments in defense production and to advance the role of the private sector in defense production, the Green Channel Status Policy (GCS) was developed.
• Approximately 194 defense tech businesses in India are developing cutting-edge tech solutions to enable and support the country’s defense efforts.​
• The Indian defense industry continues to grow steadily as a result of the government’s emphasis on loosening limits on foreign investment in order to realize India’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (UPSC PYQ 2018)

a. An Israeli radar system

b. India’s indigenous anti – missile programme

c. An American anti -missile system

d. A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

Ans: c

Explanation

An American anti-missile system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is intended to intercept and eliminate short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as they fall toward their target during their “terminal” phase of flight.
Both inside and outside the atmosphere, they can intercept missiles.
It is very mobile and compatible with various ballistic missile defense systems.

Mains Model Questions Q. Examine the difficulties India faces in striking a balance between the requirement for effective deterrence and its defense expenditure. Given the changing nature of security challenges, how can India maximize its defense expenditures?

Introduction:

India has a number of difficulties in striking a balance between the requirement for effective deterrence and its defense expenditure. These problems need serious thought and strategic preparation since they are intricate and multidimensional. A careful evaluation of India’s defense budget is necessary in light of the difficulties on both our northern and western frontiers.

Body:

India’s difficulties in managing its defense budget

• Modernization and advancements in technology: The budget may be strained due to the necessity of continuously modernizing defense capabilities due to the quick speed of technical breakthroughs. The development of asymmetric capabilities in blockchain, artificial intelligence, space, cyber, and quantum technologies should be the main priority.
• Manpower Costs: Salaries, pensions, and benefits are among the human costs that account for a sizeable amount of the defense budget. The budget would be strained by the arrears that must be paid for programs like One Rank One Pension.
• Geopolitical Changes and Regional Dynamics: Given the evolving geopolitical landscape, it could be necessary to review defense goals and budget allocation. In places like the Malacca Strait, rescue operations in West Asia, and competition with China in the Indo-Pacific, more defense budget is needed.
  
  

Possible strategies to maximize defense expenditures

• Indigenous manufacturing: Notable accomplishments include the Innovations For Defence Excellence (iDEX) plan and Atmanirbhar Bharat, which aim to boost the domestic defence sector and improve defence-industrial capacities to lessen reliance on imports.
• Policymaking: To maximize defense spending, policy measures such as reorganizing the Ordnance Factory Board, establishing negative import lists, increasing capital expenditure funding, or even providing institutionalized assistance like the non-lapsable Modernization Fund for Defence and Internal Security (MFDIS) can be implemented.
• Strategic alliances: Defense priorities must be aligned and geopolitical risks must be routinely assessed. forming strategic partnerships with like-minded nations like the US, UK, Japan, and South Korea in order to share defense budget responsibilities and work together on research and development to address security issues.

Conclusion: In the face of changing security challenges, India can maintain a strong deterrent capability with a well-thought-out defense plan, wise budget allocation, and efficient management.

Article: 30^th October, 2024

Topic: Cyberfraud losses could amount to 0.7% of GDP

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Cyber Security

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has projected that over the course of the next year, cybercrimes will likely cost Indians more than ₹1.2 lakh crore, or over 0.7% of the nation’s GDP.
  
  

Increases in Online Fraud in Financial Transactions

• India saw a sharp increase in banking-related cybercrime in the fiscal year 2024, with cases more than tripling from the year before.
• The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) annual report states that 80% of all banking frauds are in the card and online categories, where the number of frauds has soared to 29,082.
• Compared to the 6,699 instances recorded in fiscal year 2023, it indicates a startling 334% increase.
  
  

Important Causes of the Increase

• Increased Digitization: Cybercriminals now have additional options thanks to the quick uptake of digital payment methods like credit cards and online banking.
• Advanced Cyberattacks: Cybercriminals are now increasingly skilled at taking advantage of flaws in electronic payment systems.
• Fraudsters can now obtain sensitive personal information thanks to increasingly common tactics including phishing, identity theft, and the deployment of malicious software.
• Behavioral Vulnerabilities: Human mistake, such as exchanging passwords or falling for phishing scams, is a major contributing factor in many frauds.
  
  

Impact on Finances

• These frauds have had a substantial financial impact. The total amount of card and online frauds in fiscal year 2024 was ₹1,457 crore, the highest amount in the previous six years.
• It emphasizes the necessity of more awareness and improved security measures among consumers.

Controlling Online Fraud in India

• Cyber fraud has become a serious concern in India as a result of the quick digitization of services and growing reliance on the internet.
• It has a thorough legislative structure intended to stop, identify, and punish cybercrimes.
  
  

Important Legislative Initiatives

• The Information Technology Act (IT Act) of 2000: It handles a range of cybercrimes, such as hacking, identity theft, and cyberterrorism, and it gives legal status to electronic transactions with the goal of facilitating e-commerce. Important parts pertaining to cyber fraud consist of:
  – Section 66C: Identity theft penalties.
  – Section 66D: Penalties for utilizing computer resources to cheat by impersonation.
  – Section 43: Penalties for computer system damage.
• Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860: It has clauses that deal with cyber fraud, such as:
  – Section 420: Deception and fraudulently obtaining the delivery of property.
• Section 468: Forgery with intent to defraud.
• Section 471: Presenting a falsified document as authentic.
• Information Technology (Digital Media Ethics Code and Intermediary Guidelines) Regulations, 2021: These regulations require middlemen, including social media sites, to take reasonable precautions and guarantee users’ safety and security.
  – They mandate that intermediaries notify the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) of cyber events.
  
  

Initiatives and Regulatory Bodies

• The Ministry of Home Affairs established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) with the goal of coordinating the fight against cybercrime.
  – It gives law enforcement organizations a place to work together and exchange data about cybercrime.

• CERT-In’s Cyber Swachhta Kendra program aims to raise awareness about cybersecurity and provide resources for identifying and eliminating malicious software from devices.

• The 2013 National Cyber Security Policy: It describes methods for defending private and public infrastructure against online attacks. It highlights how important a safe and robust online is.
• Portal for Reporting Cybercrimes Nationwide: Reporting a variety of cybercrimes, including as financial fraud and crimes against women and children, is made possible by it.
  
  

India’s Challenges in Fighting Cyber Fraud

• Quick Developments in Technology: Lawmakers find it challenging to keep up with emerging forms of cybercrimes due to the rapid rate of technology advancement.
• Resource Limitations: Many organizations, particularly small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), do not have the resources necessary to put strong cybersecurity safeguards in place. They are therefore prime targets for online criminals.
• Coordination Between Agencies: To ensure effective cybersecurity, several government departments and agencies, businesses, and foreign partners must work together.
• Jurisdictional Issues: Because cybercrimes frequently cross-national boundaries, it is more difficult to enforce the law.
• Lack of Knowledge: A lot of people and organizations don’t know the dangers of cybercrime or how to avoid it.
  
  

Actions to Prevent Cyberfraud

• Improved Security Procedures: To defend against cyberattacks, banks and other financial institutions must put in place more robust security procedures.
• It incorporates sophisticated encryption methods and multi-factor authentication.
• Oversight of Regulation: The RBI and other regulatory agencies must keep an eye on and enforce adherence to cybersecurity requirements.
• Consumer Education: It’s critical to inform customers about the dangers of cybercrime and self-defense techniques.

Conclusion

• The banking industry urgently needs strong cybersecurity measures, as seen by the spike in cyber fraud in fiscal year 2024.
• Both customers and financial institutions need to be on the lookout for these changing hazards as digital transactions continue to increase.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements

1. The first international convention to combat cybercrime and the Internet by unifying national laws was the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
2. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology created the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C).

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: a

Explanation

The first worldwide agreement to combat Internet and cybercrime, the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime aims to improve investigative methods, increase international cooperation, and harmonize national legislation. In 2004, it became operative.This convention is not ratified by India.
In order to tackle cybercrime in India in a thorough and coordinated manner, MHA established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in 2018. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees its operations.

Mains Model Questions Q. Discuss about the effects on national security of the growing risks posed by cyberattacks and artificial intelligence. How can India fortify its cybersecurity infrastructure to combat these changing dangers?

Introduction:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developing at a rapid pace, and cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, especially in light of important international events like the 2024 Summer Olympics in France and other noteworthy events that year.

Body:

National Security Consequences of AI and Cyberattacks

• Increase in Cyberthreats: Critical infrastructure, like power grids and telecommunications, is now much more vulnerable to cyberattacks. A clear reminder of the weaknesses in our globalized environment is provided by the Microsoft Windows bug that caused worldwide disruptions.
• AI-Driven Disinformation: As AI, especially Generative AI and AGI, has advanced, disinformation has become more efficient and more difficult to identify. AI can be used as a weapon to produce deepfakes, stoke division, and influence public opinion, as evidenced by the disinformation campaign during the Taiwan elections and the continuing crisis in Ukraine.
• Targets for Global Security Events: Cybercriminals viewed the 2024 Olympics as a top target, underscoring the elevated risk that such international events confront in the digital era.
• Economic and Social Impact: Identity theft, cyber fraud, and other digital crimes are on the rise and have an impact on both individuals and companies.
  
  

Increasing the Cybersecurity Framework in India

• Adapting to New risks: India must revise its cybersecurity plans to take AI’s new risks into consideration. Creating AI-powered tools to identify and combat deepfakes and misinformation is part of this.
• Collaborative Security Efforts: India should participate in international partnerships to exchange intelligence, create cooperative defense systems, and set cyberspace standards because cyber threats are worldwide in scope.
• Framework for Law and Regulation: To control the growth of AI and cybersecurity, a thorough legal and regulatory framework is required. This covers legislation pertaining to cybercrime, data protection, and rules governing the creation and application of AI.
• Increasing the Security of Critical Infrastructure: It is crucial to have strong cybersecurity safeguards in place in critical infrastructure sectors like healthcare, finance, and energy.

Conclusion: In order to protect national security, India can create a robust cybersecurity architecture that can fend off the intricate and constantly changing dangers posed by artificial intelligence and cyberattacks.

Article: 30^th October, 2024

Topic: Census is crucial for delimitation, women’s quota

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity

Source: Indian Express

Context

• The forthcoming Indian census, which is anticipated to begin next year and conclude in 2026, is covered in the article.
• Women’s reservation in elections and delimitation, which redraws constituency borders, will be impacted by this. The outcomes of the census and any changes to the law are necessary for both procedures.

How long is the census estimated to take, and how will it affect delineation?

• To coincide with the planning for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the Indian government plans to start the Census the next year and finish it by 2026.
• Redrawing constituency boundaries, or delimitation, is dependent on Census data. Using information from the 1971 and 2001 Censuses, it was last conducted in 2002.

• Based on earlier Census data from 1971 and 2001, when India’s population was 54.81 crore and 102.87 crore, respectively, the Lok Sabha currently has 543 seats and all state assemblies have 4,123 seats.
• There will probably be a large increase in seats in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies due to the anticipated 1.5 billion people in the forthcoming Census.
  
  

What modifications to the law are required for delimitation?

• Articles 82, 81, 170, and 55 must be changed in order for delimitation to take place prior to the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
• Delimitation was frozen until after the 2001 Census by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1976, and it was then extended for 25 years in 2001.
• Any changes now have to wait until after 2026, when the Census is conducted. Southern states that have managed their population expansion are concerned that they might lose seats if only population data is considered.

How does women’s reservation relate to the Census?

• 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are reserved for women under the Constitution (128th Amendment) Act, which was passed in 2023.
• Only after the Census and the ensuing delimitation will this reserve be put into effect. The Lok Sabha now has 545 seats, of which 182 are designated for women and 363 for males. This might put incumbent male lawmakers in jeopardy.
• The shift for male MPs will be made easier, though, if the Lok Sabha’s strength grows to 770 seats as anticipated, with 257 members for women and 513 for males.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Delimitation Commission

1. The President of India appoints it, and it collaborates with the Indian Election Commission.
2. A tribunal has been established under the Constitution to settle disputes resulting from the Commission’s orders.
3. In each state, the Delimitation Commission is required to determine which seats should be set aside for members of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2
4. 1, 2, 3

Ans: a

Explanation

The Delimitation Commission collaborates with the Election Commission of India and is appointed by the President of India.
No court may overrule the Commission’s orders because it is a strong, independent entity. Determining which seats should be set aside for SC and ST is the responsibility of the Delimitation Commission. There are no comparable provisions in the Constitution for other marginalized groups.

Mains Model Questions Q. Describe the delimitation procedure and its importance in the Indian election system. Discuss about the effects of delimitation being frozen until after 2026, when the first census is taken.

Introduction:

Redrawing the borders of state Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies to account for demographic shifts is known as delimitation. Article 82 of the Constitution states that following a census every ten years, Parliament passes a Delimitation Act. Giving fair representation to all parts of a population is the primary goal of delimitation. Under the terms of the Delimitation Commission Act, the Government of India appoints an independent Delimitation Commission to carry out delimitation. The President of India appoints the Delimitation Commission, which collaborates with the Election Commission of India.

Body:

What role does delineation play in the Indian electoral system?

• Population Equality: Ensuring population equality among various constituencies is one of the primary goals of delimitation. Thus, it advances the idea of “one person, one vote.”
• Fair representation: Delimitation helps ensure that every group in society is represented fairly and equally.
• Electoral Rolls: By adding new voters, the delimitation process aids in updating the electoral rolls. It aids in preserving the voter list’s correctness and integrity.
  
  

What effects does a freeze have on delimitation?

• Political Representation: Because delimitation was frozen until the first census after 2026, Lok Sabha seats that took into consideration population or demographic changes during that time were unchanged.
• State imbalance: The southern states were especially concerned about losing significant political participation since they were more successful at managing their populations and had advanced economically to the point where they generated far more per capita income than the northern states.
• Function of Presiding Officer: In order to address issues in the House, the Presiding Officers of the Houses and Legislatures must determine how to handle the large number of members competing for the Speaker’s attention. Even with 543 members, the Speaker finds it very challenging to manage the
• House’s operations. It is difficult to manage the House effectively since the members frequently disregard the Speaker’s requests.
• The 60-odd minutes that are available in the morning before the House’s regular legislative business begins will force our Parliament and Legislatures to sit for a longer period of time each day during the session and have more sittings in a year than they currently do. This will put a great deal of strain on Zero Hour, Question Hour, and the raising of matters of urgent public importance.

Conclusion: The concerns of southern states and tribal areas over seat distribution should be considered in the next delimitation process.

Article: 30^th October, 2024

Topic: A collective effort towards peace in Myanmar

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – International Relations

Source: The Hindu

Context

• India’s precarious position in striking a balance between security and diplomacy, and ASEAN’s battle to negotiate peace. In the midst of Myanmar’s political unrest and humanitarian crises, India prioritizes regional connectivity and stability while ASEAN deals with domestic conflicts.
  
  

What is Myanmar’s crisis?

• Myanmar has been under trouble since a military takeover in 2021.
• The People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), and the junta are engaged in a bloody civil war.
• Armed resistance organizations control vast swaths of territory, including six important border trade routes.
• A humanitarian crisis has resulted from the junta’s brutal suppression, which has forced hundreds of people to flee their homes.
• According to UN estimates, 6 million children are among the 18.6 million people in need of aid.
  
  

In what ways has ASEAN addressed the problem in Myanmar?

• In response to the coup in Myanmar in 2021, ASEAN violated its non-interference principle, recognizing the violation of ASEAN’s Charter on rule of law.
• Although ASEAN established the Five-Point Consensus for peace, which calls for humanitarian assistance and the cessation of hostilities, its implementation has been patchy.
• ASEAN barred Myanmar’s military commanders from summits for non-compliance in order to put pressure on the country.
• Myanmar sent a high-ranking official to the 44th ASEAN Summit, suggesting a limited level of involvement.
• For diplomatic advancement, Thailand suggested holding informal discussions with the ASEAN Troika (Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia).
  
  

What difficulties does ASEAN face?

• Internal Disparities: While some ASEAN nations, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, maintain tighter ties with Myanmar’s military administration, others, like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, support more forceful measures.
• Non-Interference Policy: In reaction to Myanmar’s coup in 2021, ASEAN departed from its long-standing non-interference position, which reflected internal conflicts over rule of law and governance.
• Limited Involvement of Stakeholders: Thailand’s proposed negotiations are mostly focused on the junta and do not include ethnic groups or Myanmar’s National Unity Government, which restricts inclusion.
• Humanitarian Challenges: Effective assistance distribution is limited since Thailand’s humanitarian corridor only runs through areas under junta authority in Myanmar.
  
  

How does India feel about Myanmar?

• Support for ASEAN’s Role: At recent ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits, Prime Minister Modi emphasized ASEAN’s relevance and its Five-Point Consensus for peace in Myanmar, which India supports.
• Strategic Importance for Act East Policy: With a 1,643-kilometer shared border, Myanmar is crucial to India’s Act East Policy as a land bridge to other ASEAN nations.
• Regional Connectivity Initiatives: India is working on initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project to boost trade and connectivity.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

1. It seeks to promote regional stability and economic progress by economic and political collaboration.
2. One of ASEAN’s original members is Myanmar.
3. Member nations receive aid and development assistance from the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2
4. 2 and 3

Ans: a

Explanation

Promoting economic growth, regional stability, and cooperation among its member states through political and economic cooperation are among ASEAN’s main goals.
Myanmar was not one of ASEAN’s original members. In 1967, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand formed ASEAN as its founding members. In 1997, Myanmar became a member of ASEAN. The Asia-Pacific region’s political and security concerns are the main focus of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Mains Model Questions Q. India-ASEAN relations are hampered by a number of geopolitical issues. Discuss.

Introduction:

One of the most powerful alliances in Southeast Asia is ASEAN, a gathering of ten countries. It encompasses the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Brunei.
Because its member states are situated at a strategically significant Indo-Pacific intersection, ASEAN serves as a hub for both regional and international forces.

Body:

Geopolitical obstacles to ASEAN-India cooperation:

• Territory Conflicts: ASEAN members have long been embroiled in territory conflicts with interested parties. For instance, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam all have conflicting claims to areas in the South China Sea that overlap with China’s.
• Indo-Pacific Rivalry: China has long been seen as the main economic partner and the US as the primary security guarantor has been at the heart of the ASEAN balance.
• Unstable Geoeconomics: The Indo-Pacific region’s geopolitical tension is having an impact on the economy, particularly on supply chain resilience, commerce, and technology cooperation.

Actions to improve collaboration between ASEAN nations and India:

• ASEAN nations, economic integration, East Asian nations, and security cooperation were the main focuses of the Act East Policy.
• At the bilateral, regional, and global levels, it entails intense and ongoing involvement with Southeast Asian nations in the areas of connectivity, trade, culture, defense, and people-to-people interaction.
  
  

Other Projects:

• During the epidemic, ASEAN nations received aid in the form of medications and medical supplies.
• For participants from ASEAN nations, IITs have awarded scholarships with offers of 1,000 PhD fellowships.
• In order to support grassroots communities in areas like health, education, and water resources, India is also carrying out Quick Impact Projects in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Conclusion: In order to raise its profile in the ASEAN area, India must improve connectivity and commerce with the region. However, India should also make a determined effort to build solid bilateral ties with ASEAN allies who share its values. Given that ASEAN would likely continue to struggle with internal coherence for some time to come, India should not be afraid to explore minilaterals in this era.