7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry

At 7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry, Indian Union Minister reiterated Prime Minister Modi's vision of keeping ASEAN at the center of India's Act East Policy.

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ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry

7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry was recently took place under the chairmanship of India. ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry is important for UPSC Prelims (International News and Organizations) and UPSC Mains Exam (GS PAPER 2- International Relations and GS Paper 3- Climate Change and Environmental Conservation).

7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry in News

Recently, the 7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting (AIMMAF) on Agriculture and Forestry was held virtually.
The 7th ASEAN-India Ministerial meeting also welcomed the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.

India at ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry 2022

Indian Union Minister reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of keeping ASEAN at the center of India’s Act East Policy.
He also emphasised on mutually close regional cooperation with ASEAN to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for agricultural development in the region.
India also urged the ASEAN member countries to support its efforts in increasing the production, processing, value addition and consumption of millets.
- This was highlighted while referring to the importance of millet (nutritional-cereals) as a nutritious food and the international nutritional-cereal year 2023.
- Nutritious cereals help in the creation of nutritious, with low resource requirement and more efficient agri-food systems.

Key Developments at ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry

The progress in implementation of various programs and activities under the Medium Term Action Plan of ASEAN-India Cooperation (Year 2021-2025) was reviewed.
In the meeting, the commitment to ASEAN-India cooperation in agriculture and forestry was reaffirmed.
It was also agreed to take continuous measures under ASEAN-India cooperation for the implementation of post-pandemic recovery.
- Seamless flow of safe and nutritious agricultural products to ASEAN and India in order to mitigate the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
India said it is committed to enhance it’s cooperation with ASEAN in food security, nutrition, climate change adaptation, digital farming, nature-friendly agriculture, food processing, value chain, agricultural marketing and capacity building.

INDIA-ASEAN Relations

After independence India did not have good relations with ASEAN because of ideological difference with ASEAN which was under the US camp during the Cold War. After the end of Cold War, India – ASEAN relations have evolved from just economic ties to strategic heights owing to common threats and aspirations.

1996- India became a member of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) for security dialogue in Asia in which members can discuss current regional security issues and develop cooperative measures to enhance peace and security in the region.
2002- India and ASEAN begin to hold annual summit level meetings.
2009- India- ASEAN Free trade Agreement in Goods was concluded.
2012- India – ASEAN Strategic Partnership was concluded
2014- India – ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment was signed with an aim to facilitate movement of manpower and investments between India and ASEAN.
2018- India ASEAN celebrated 25 years of their relationship by holding a commemorative Summit. Leaders of all ten ASEAN countries were invited as Chief Guests for the Republic Day parade on January 26,2018.

India-ASEAN Economic Cooperation

ASEAN is India’s fourth largest trading partner.
The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area has been completed.
ASEAN India-Business Council (AIBC) was set up in 2003 to bring key private sector players from India and the ASEAN countries on a single platform.

Financial assistance has been provided to ASEAN countries from the following Funds:
- ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund
- ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund
- ASEAN-India Green Fund
Delhi Declaration identifies cooperation in the Maritime Domain.
Delhi Dialogue:Annual dialogue for discussing politico-security and economic issues between ASEAN and India.
ASEAN-India Centre (AIC):To undertake policy research, advocacy and networking activities with organizations and think-tanks in India and ASEAN.
Political Security Cooperation:India places ASEAN at the centre of its Indo-Pacific vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region.