47th ASEAN summit:
The Prime Minister decided not to travel to Malaysia to attend the 47th ASEAN summit and will attend it virtually.
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an inter-governmental regional organisation formed to promote political, economic, and security cooperation among Southeast Asian nations.
- Established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration, its founding members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
- ASEAN currently has 10 member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
- The ASEAN Community comprises three pillars: the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community.
- Two of its core operating principles are consensual decision-making and noninterference in the internal affairs of its members.
- In line with ASEAN centrality, ASEAN sees itself as a platform for intergovernmental cooperation throughout the entire Asia-Pacific.
- The ASEAN Summit is held annually, where member states discuss regional developments and set strategic policy directions. It is chaired by a rotating presidency.
- The ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) monitors the implementation of agreements and decisions, ensuring alignment across the member states.
- The ASEAN Secretariat, located in Jakarta, acts as the administrative body supporting and facilitating ASEAN’s initiatives, coordination, and documentation.
- The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a key platform for dialogue on political and security issues involving both member countries and external partners.
- India joined the ARF in 1996, marking its formal inclusion in ASEAN-led security dialogue mechanisms.
