Beyond Binaries: Rethinking India-ASEAN Ties Through Youth and Cultures

The relationship between India and ASEAN goes way far, beyond trade and strategy, rooted in centuries of cultural exchanges and shared heritage. India and ASEAN both recognise and underscore the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, and how it is becoming an important element of state-led initiatives as both regions continue to negotiate a multipolar world. India-ASEAN relations are often narrated through a simplified filter: India is seen as a counterbalance to U.S. interests and a growing China.

However, this dichotomy fails to acknowledge how Asia's youngest region is pursuing a more nuanced posture, one that is influenced by diplomacy, cultural affinities, and strategic autonomy. India and ASEAN’s bilateral trade reached USD 123 billion in 2024-25 , indicating continued trade and cooperation between the two economic giants.

Beyond China and the USA- India and ASEAN

India and ASEAN are one of the fastest growing regions in the world, therefore, it becomes significant to emphasize how both India and ASEAN need not choose between either China and the USA and instead opt for an inclusive and a multilateral framework. India puts forward this vision by promoting ‘Atmanirbharta’ and not aligning with a single power binary, whereas, the ASEAN emphasizes this vision via rejecting zero-sum thinking and promoting mechanisms for collaboration with different nations at the forefront. Moreover, India has often articulated to be the voice of the Global Southand continues to uplift the voice of the Global South, with one clear aim, which is not to rely on either of the great binaries, which are, the USA and China.

India’s Evolution - From Look East to Act East

India's evolution from the ‘Look East’ policy of the 1990s to the ‘Act East’ policy launched in 2014 signifies its transition to being an active stakeholder in Southeast Asia. The Look East Policy, introduced in the early 1990s, was India's first systematic policy to engage with Southeast Asia after decades of limited connections due to the Cold War. The focus of the policy was primarily economic, with importance given to expanding trade, attracting investment , and building diplomatic ties. Whereas, the Act East Policy, launched in 2014, marked the next phase of India's outreach. It signalled a shift from economic diplomacy alone to a broader strategic outreach, including but not limited to defence, regional security, and building strong institutional participation. The change from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ underlined India's intent to move from symbolic engagement to a more active one. Centuries of civilisational exchange, through maritime trade routes, shared the Hindu-Buddhist culture, Sanskritic linguistic influences, and architectural legacies from Angkor Wat to Borobudur, anchoring India-ASEAN relations to what they are today. Further, India's Act East policy is framed in history by combining ancient ties with diplomacy. This overlap highlights India's path towards a just Global South. Therefore, this creates a long-lasting impact with the community.

ASEAN in a Multipolar World

ASEAN provides an important environment for alternative diplomatic approaches that put personal relationships ahead of conventional diplomatic dialogues. Emphasis on track-two diplomacy and a holistic effort by non-governmental actors to foster collaboration from a bottom-up approach is rightfully articulated by ASEAN, ultimately, these efforts prove to be beneficial for ASEAN and India both, shared diaspora plays an important role because shared diaspora brings along feeling of brotherhood, bonhomie,and a feeling of shared history and culture, proving more sustainable. Regular involvement in cultural and educational programmes, through facilitating student exchanges, collaborative research projects, and discussions for the diaspora at large, may have a greater long-term impact on India than high-profile trade talks or military drills.

Diaspora as Natural Bridges of Diplomacy

Youth and diaspora represents the best form of people-to-people diplomacy grounded in strong historical and ancient ties, shared heritage and culture. Cultural and historical ties rely on people-to-people connections, thriving on exchanges in different sectors across research, arts, and entrepreneurship. This represents an embodiment of a diplomacy that lives through ages, gets passed on by generations, and is felt in communities, whether through Indian cultural festivals in Malaysia, heritage preservation in Myanmar, or shared culture and history in Indonesia. For the Indian diaspora across ASEAN, cultural diplomacy plays a crucial role and becomes a part of their shared reality. The Indian diaspora acts as cultural linkages and natural bridges, bringing together their culture, finding similarities, and building shared traditions.

Ultimately, presenting a strong alternative to something that the great power binaries don’t possess. They highlight that diplomacy is not just about negotiating interests but also about building connections from a bottom-up approach. The people-to-people relationship opens up greater and newer pathways for both India and ASEAN to foster cultural diplomacy and inclusive regional cooperation. The India-ASEAN Youth Conference, hosted by The Geostrata and Foreign Policy Talks, represents this shift in narrative and engagements. The youth remain at the forefront as active contributors.

This youth-led engagement steered a new mode of partnership via sharing perspectives on cultural heritage and the importance of diaspora. Collaboration like this provided a space for youth-led perspectives to prosper in the domain of sustainability and innovation. The conference demonstrated that youth diplomacy is crucial in today’s changing world, highlighting how more than 60% of ASEAN’s population is under 35and how conferences like these must be expanded into fostering joint research, social entrepreneurship, and climate diplomacy from the grassroots.

Conclusion - Towards an Independent and Inclusive Future

In conclusion, India and the ASEAN partnership is extremely crucial for an inclusive and an independent future, their ties are highlighted by shared culture and heritage, rooted in people-to-people diplomacy and shared diaspora. From India’s Act East policy to ASEAN’s regional connectivity and shared understanding, mutual trust is the key to achieving these goals. While also highlighting how crucial it is for both India and ASEAN that it is not essential to choose between the United States and China, and instead of fostering independence, or ‘Atmanirbharta’, amongst each other, it becomes imperative. Youth diplomacy is the need of the hour in various aspects, including research, education, culture, arts, climate, and entrepreneurship, amongst many more, and can be utilised to foster stronger ties between India and ASEAN.

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This article, written by Nandita Lata and Allan Dharma Saputra, is part of the Indian–ASEAN Youth Conference 2025, co-hosted by Foreign Policy Talks and The Geostrata. The conference brings together young leaders from India and Southeast Asia to foster dialogue and strengthen regional cooperation.