This month saw a change of wind that brings ASEAN closer to the Indo-Pacific

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

China, with Russia in tow, found themselves endorsing a document that embraces the Indo-Pacific as a viable regional construct. This goes against the grain of Chinese opposition to Quad.

But it appears Beijing’s hands were forced at the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meet this month, which firmed up a four-year roadmap that calls for the ‘mainstreaming’ and ‘implementation’ of the Asean Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP). AOIP was drawn up by Asean some three years ago in an effort to underline the centrality of the grouping amid concerns of the US pushing for a more encompassing frame under the Indo-Pacific.

China, too, stoked fears within Asean of it losing prominence if Quad was able to push ahead with its approach in the region. Which is why AOIP in its principles made it clear that it did not see the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean as ‘contiguous territorial spaces’ but as a closely ‘integrated’ and ‘interconnected’ region.

While strategic terminologies, no doubt, may have caused some initial discomfiture, real geopolitical dynamics accompanied by deeper conversations with Quad countries over the past few years allowed Asean to evolve their position independently. The Asean foreign ministers’ joint communiqué at Jakarta reflects this, thereby laying the ground for AseanQuad cooperation.

‘We expressed concern on the intensifying geopolitical tensions in the region, and further underlined the value and relevance of the AOIP to Asean’s peace, security, stability and prosperity. We were determined to further promote the AOIP in our interactions with partners and to mainstream and promote the implementation of the AOIP through concrete projects and activities in order to promote mutual trust, respect and benefit