India’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is at the heart of its Look East Policy. As a regional bloc, ASEAN has developed much faster than any of the other blocs in the Asia-Pacific. With ASEAN and India working towards establishing a Comprehensive Free Trade Area through Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), their cooperation will be key to promoting economic stability, competitiveness, growth and integration in the region.

This Report:

• provides a comparative analysis of the global and regional economies;
• examines the impact and implications of India–ASEAN integration;
• assesses policy priorities, effectiveness, implementation imperatives and challenges; and
• discusses themes central to the economic sustainability of the region, including public and foreign policy, trade facilitation, financial and scientific cooperation, food security, energy cooperation, and productivity and opportunities in the manufacturing and service sectors.

It will be invaluable to scholars and researchers of economics, international relations, development studies, area studies, as well as policy-makers, administrators, private sector professionals, and non-governmental organisations in the field.