#ComprehensiveStrategicPartnership

[thxnews]

36th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Highlights Cooperation

The 36th Annual ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue took place on May 24 in Washington, D.C., marking a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the United States and ASEAN nations. Co-chaired by Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General of ASEAN Cooperation Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, the dialogue underscored the commitment to expanded cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).  

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

The dialogue emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to ASEAN centrality and the security and prosperity of regional partners. Celebrating recent milestones, including the CSP upgrade in 2022 and the launch of the U.S.-ASEAN Center in 2023, both sides reflected on their achievements and outlined plans for future collaboration.  

Asisten Menlu AS Daniel J. Kritenbrink Kunjungi Jakarta dan Tegaskan Kembali Kekuatan Hubungan AS-Indonesia. Photo by U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia. Flickr.  

Key Discussion Points

Geopolitical Issues Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink addressed pressing geopolitical challenges, advocating for a free and open Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the importance of peaceful dispute arbitration and regional sovereignty, stressing that stability in the region benefits both ASEAN and the global community. The discussion also covered the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to support Burma's transition to inclusive democracy, urging the military regime to end violence, release unjustly detained individuals, and allow humanitarian access to those in need.   Economic Cooperation Trade and investment were central themes, with the U.S. reaffirming its role as ASEAN's top foreign direct investment source. Kritenbrink emphasized the need to enhance digital economy cooperation, climate change initiatives, and cybersecurity efforts. Strengthening economic ties remains a priority, fostering a robust, inclusive digital economy that benefits both ASEAN nations and the United States. By promoting a seamless flow of investments and technological advancements, the dialogue aims to create a more interconnected and prosperous region.   Maritime Security Ensuring freedom of the seas and adherence to international law in the South China Sea were critical points of discussion. The dialogue reiterated the commitment to maritime security and the unimpeded flow of lawful commerce, aligning with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Both sides recognized the importance of maintaining open and secure maritime routes for regional stability and economic growth.   Future Prospects and Initiatives Looking ahead, the U.S. support for Lao PDR’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024 was confirmed, indicating a continuous commitment to strong bilateral relations. Both co-chairs expressed their anticipation for the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meetings in Vientiane. These events are expected to further solidify U.S.-ASEAN relations and advance regional stability and cooperation through strategic dialogues and policy discussions.  

Historical Context and Achievements

Elevation of Partnership Levels The ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2015 and further to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. This highest partnership level reflects the deepening relationship and shared strategic interests, showcasing the growing importance of the ASEAN-U.S. alliance in addressing regional and global challenges.   Adoption of Guiding Documents The Joint Vision Statement from the 2022 ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit and the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership (2021-2025) outline mutual principles and cooperation areas. These documents guide collaborative efforts across political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars, ensuring a coordinated approach to achieving common goals and addressing shared concerns.   Expansion of Cooperation Areas The dialogues have broadened ASEAN-U.S. cooperation to include maritime security, digital economy, clean energy, climate change, and people-to-people exchanges. New ministerial-level meetings on climate, energy, health, transportation, and gender equality have been established, reflecting the evolving nature of the partnership and the commitment to addressing contemporary issues.   Initiatives and Investments Significant U.S. investments were announced during the dialogues, such as $150 million for maritime, digital, environmental, and clean energy programs at the 2022 Special Summit. This includes $60 million to support maritime capacity building by the U.S. Coast Guard. These initiatives underscore the U.S.'s dedication to bolstering ASEAN's capabilities and fostering sustainable development across the region.   Importance of the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogues Key Aspect Details Reaffirming Strategic Partnership These dialogues reaffirm the comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and the U.S., highlighting their collaboration on regional and global challenges. This continuous engagement reflects the growing importance of their relationship in addressing issues that impact both sides. Promoting Regional Security and Stability By addressing critical political-security issues, these dialogues contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The discussions on maritime security, transnational crimes, and counter-terrorism efforts play a pivotal role in maintaining regional security. Advancing Economic Cooperation The dialogues facilitate expanded economic ties, crucial for both ASEAN's rapid growth and U.S. economic interests. Strengthening trade and investment relationships ensures mutual economic benefits and supports sustainable development across the region. Addressing Global Challenges These discussions provide a platform for cooperation on pressing global issues like climate change, energy transition, public health, and digital development. By working together, ASEAN and the U.S. can more effectively tackle these global challenges. Reinforcing ASEAN Centrality The U.S. consistently reaffirms its support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific through these dialogues. This reinforces ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture and ensures its voices and perspectives are integral to regional decision-making. Enhancing People-to-People Ties Strengthening socio-cultural cooperation and human capital development are key focus areas. These efforts include expanding educational exchanges, cultural programs, and other people-to-people initiatives that build mutual understanding and cooperation. Announcing New Initiatives The U.S. uses these dialogues to announce new programs and investments that deepen ASEAN-U.S. cooperation. These initiatives often focus on emerging areas of mutual interest, ensuring the partnership remains dynamic and forward-looking.   The Final Word The 36th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue showcases the robust and evolving partnership between the United States and ASEAN. Discussions on security, economic cooperation, and geopolitical challenges reaffirm commitment to a stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific. The dialogues address mutual concerns and strategic interests, strengthening the ASEAN-U.S. relationship. Brunei Darussalam could well be the venue for the 37th meeting but an official announcement is still to be made.   Sources: THX News & US Department of State. Read the full article

[namoagainnarendramodi]

भारत-ब्रिटेन वर्चुअल शिखर सम्मेलन.

भारत-ब्रिटेन वर्चुअल शिखर सम्मेलन. प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्‍द्र मोदी और ब्रिटेन के प्रधानमंत्री माननीय बोरिस जॉनसन के बीच आज एक वर्चुअल शिखर सम्मेलन आयोजित किया गया। भारत और ब्रिटेन के बीच काफी लंबे समय से मैत्रीपूर्ण संबंध रहे हैं और दोनों देश लोकतंत्र, मौलिक स्वतंत्रता एवं कानून के शासन, मजबूत पारस्‍परिकताओं और निरंतर बढ़ते सामंजस्‍य के लिए आपसी प्रतिबद्धता पर आधारित रणनीतिक साझेदारी को साझा करते हैं। शिखर सम्मेलन में एक महत्वाकांक्षी ‘रोडमैप 2030’ को अपनाया गया, ताकि ‘द्विपक्षीय संबंधों’ का दर्जा बढ़ाकर उन्‍हें ‘व्यापक रणनीतिक साझेदारी’ का रूप दिया जा सके। यह रोडमैप अगले द�� वर्षों में दोनों देशों के लोगों के बीच पारस्‍परिक संपर्कों, व्यापार एवं अर्थव्यवस्था, रक्षा व सुरक्षा, जलवायु कार्रवाई और स्वास्थ्य जैसे महत्‍वपूर्ण क्षेत्रों में गहन व मजबूत जुड़ाव का मार्ग प्रशस्त करेगा। दोनों राजनेताओं ने कोविड-19 की मौजूदा स्थिति के साथ-साथ टीकों पर सफल साझेदारी सहित महामारी के खिलाफ लड़ाई में फि‍लहाल जारी आपसी सहयोग पर चर्चा की। प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने भारत में कोविड-19 की अत्‍यंत संक्रामक दूसरी लहर के मद्देनजर ब्रिटेन द्वारा प्रदान की गई त्वरित चिकित्सा सहायता के लिए प्रधानमंत्री जॉनसन का धन्यवाद किया। प्रधानमंत्री जॉनसन ने पिछले साल ब्रिटेन और अन्य देशों को दी गई सहायता में भारत की अहम भूमिका की सराहना की जिसमें फार्मास्यूटिकल्स और टीकों की आपूर्ति के जरिए दी गई सहायता भी शामिल है। दोनों प्रधानमंत्रियों ने दुनिया की पांचवीं और छठी सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्थाओं के बीच व्यापार की संभावनाओं को उन्‍मुक्‍त करने के साथ-साथ वर्ष 2030 तक द्विपक्षीय व्यापार को दोगुना से भी अधिक करने का एक महत्वाकांक्षी लक्ष्य तय करते हुए एक ‘उन्नत व्यापार साझेदारी (ईटीपी)’ का शुभारंभ किया। ‘ईटीपी’ के एक हिस्से के रूप में भारत और ब्रिटेन ने एक व्यापक एवं संतुलित एफटीए (मुक्‍त व्‍यापार समझौता) पर बातचीत करने के लिए एक रोडमैप पर सहमति जताई जिसमें जल्‍द-से-जल्‍द लाभ मिलना सुनिश्चित करने के लिए एक ‘अंतरिम व्यापार समझौते’ पर विचार करना भी शामिल है। भारत और ब्रिटेन के बीच उन्‍नत व्यापार साझेदारी से दोनों देशों में हजारों प्रत्यक्ष एवं अप्रत्यक्ष रोजगार सृजित होंगे। ब्रिटेन अनुसंधान और नवाचार संबंधी सहयोग के क्षेत्र में भारत का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा साझेदार है। वर्चुअल शिखर सम्मेलन में एक नई भारत-ब्रिटेन ‘वैश्विक नवाचार साझेदारी’ की घोषणा की गई जिसका उद्देश्य चुनिंदा विकासशील देशों को समावेशी भारतीय नवाचारों का हस्तांतरण करने में आवश्‍यक सहयोग प्रदान करना है। इस दिशा में शुरुआत अफ्रीका से होगी। दोनों ही पक्षों ने डिजिटल एवं आईसीटी उत्पादों सहित नई व उभरती प्रौद्योगिकियों पर आपसी सहयोग बढ़ाने, और आपूर्ति श्रृंखला को सुदृढ़ करने की दिशा में काम करने पर सहमति जताई। दोनों ही पक्षों ने रक्षा और सुरक्षा संबंधों को मजबूत करने पर भी सहमति व्यक्त की जिनमें समुद्री क्षेत्र, आतंकवाद का मुकाबला करना और साइबरस्पेस क्षेत्र भी शामिल हैं। दोनों प्रधानमंत्रियों ने इसके साथ ही आपसी हितों वाले क्षेत्रीय और वैश्विक मुद्दों पर भी अपने-अपने विचारों का आदान-प्रदान किया, जिसमें हिंद-प्रशांत और जी7 में सहयोग करना भी शामिल है। उन्होंने पेरिस समझौते के लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने के लिए जलवायु कार्रवाई के प्रति अपनी कटिबद्धता दोहराई और इसके साथ ही इस वर्ष के उत्‍तरार्द्ध में ब्रिटेन द्वारा आयोजित की जाने वाली ‘सीओपी26’ से पहले आपस में सहभागिता करने पर सहमति जताई। भारत और ब्रिटेन ने ‘प्रवासन एवं आवाजाही पर एक व्यापक साझेदारी’ का शुभारंभ किया है जिससे दोनों देशों के बीच विद्यार्थियों एवं प्रोफेशनलों की आवाजाही के लिए और भी अधिक अवसर सुलभ होंगे। प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने हालात बेहतर हो जाने के बाद भारत में प्रधानमंत्री जॉनसन की सुविधा के अनुसार उनका आगमन होने पर उनका स्वागत करने की इच्छा व्यक्त की। प्रधानमंत्री जॉनसन ने भी जी-7 शिखर सम्मेलन में शिरकत करने हेतु ब्रिटेन आगमन के लिए प्रधानमंत्री मोदी को दिया गया अपना निमंत्रण दोहराया।

[thxnews]

U.S.-Vietnam Alliance Strengthens, Expands

Deepening Ties in an Evolving Landscape

Introduction: Strengthening U.S.-Vietnam Relations The United States and Vietnam are experiencing a significant evolution in their relationship, as emphasized by Lindsey W. Ford, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia. Speaking at the 2024 U.S.-Vietnam Conference in Washington, D.C., Ford highlighted the multifaceted growth of this partnership, underscoring its importance beyond mere defense cooperation.   Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Ford described the current phase as a transformative period in U.S.-Vietnam relations, marked by an upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This development signifies remarkable progress, creating opportunities, particularly from a defense perspective, built upon decades of promising cooperation. Ford, a defense expert, acknowledged the relationship's breadth, extending to various sectors and transcending the simplistic narrative of competition with China.   Economic and Cultural Integration The United States and Vietnam share strategic interests, notably in the economic sphere. In 2022, the trade between these nations surpassed $130 billion, illustrating a significant economic partnership. This thriving trade offers substantial export markets for both countries. Additionally, there are strong people-to-people ties, reflecting a relationship rich in cultural and social dimensions. Ford stressed that the defense partnership is just one aspect of this multifaceted relationship.   Defense Relationship and Beyond The defense relationship initially centered on recovery efforts for missing in action personnel, has expanded significantly. Today, it includes joint endeavors in identifying war casualties and has grown to encompass broader defense cooperation. U.S. assistance in Vietnam's U.N. mission in South Sudan exemplifies this growth, demonstrating Vietnam's emerging role in global peacekeeping.   Focus on the Indo-Pacific Region The partnership extends to areas like disaster preparedness and climate change response. Cooperation in establishing disaster management centers and responding to climate-related disasters has been noteworthy. Military medicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerged as a growing area of collaboration, with the U.S. providing vital support to Vietnam.   Maritime and Cybersecurity Collaboration The evolving cooperation includes a focus on maritime security, and addressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Efforts to enhance maritime domain awareness and address illegal fishing and harassment at sea are crucial aspects of this collaboration. Additionally, both nations are working together on cybersecurity programs, recognizing the mutual vulnerability and striving to bolster their defenses.   A Maturing and Beneficial Alliance The U.S.-Vietnam relationship, with its comprehensive and evolving nature, is a testament to how former adversaries can develop into strategic partners. Encompassing economic ties, cultural exchanges, and defense cooperation, this partnership is poised to play a significant role in regional and global stability.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense. Read the full article