Malaysia’s Role as ASEAN Chair in ASEAN-India Cooperation: An Analysis of Sustainability and Inclusivity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33736/jbk.9082.2025Keywords:
Multilateral, National Interest, Foreign Policy, ASEAN Regionalism, Strengthening a partnershipAbstract
The ASEAN-India relationship represents a vital multilateral partnership spanning various fields. This multilateral collaboration is pursued due to ASEAN's recognition of India's significance as one of the world's economic powers, capable of bringing positive returns to the Southeast Asian region through ASEAN. Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN from 2025 to 2027 positions it as a significant player within the organization, especially since Malaysia was one of the five founding nations of ASEAN in 1965. This study aims to explore Malaysia's role in ASEAN-India cooperation from its inception to the present. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the significance of the ASEAN-India partnership to Malaysia, encompassing benefits in economic, political, strategic, and socio-cultural aspects. Malaysia's membership in ASEAN underscores the priority of ASEAN in Malaysia's foreign policy. ASEAN's policies, driven by the "ASEAN Way," significantly impact Malaysia, with all member states supporting ASEAN-India cooperation. The author employs a library research approach and references official Malaysian government and ASEAN organization websites. This method reveals that Malaysia's democratic and progressive foreign policy, coupled with its active and effective approach, has a substantial impact on ASEAN and its cooperation with India as an economic power.
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