Since 1999, the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) has been organising an annual international conference on issues relating to Asian security. The Asian Security Conference 2007, held on February 9-10, 2007, focused on the Evolving Security Dynamic in Southeast Asia.

The 9th Asian Security Conference is being held 60 years after the Asian Relations Conference was held in this city as Asian nations envisioned their destiny in a post-colonial world. The objective of the current conference is to further the understanding of the changing dynamics of Southeast Asia. The conference aims to highlight a wide spectrum of security issues that confront the region and to examine these issues in the broader context of their ramifications for Asia-Pacific in particular and the world in general.

India and Southeast Asia have revived their traditional cultural and economic ties that were interrupted during the colonial rule. The persistence of their interest in each other in the transformed context of globalisation and liberalisation is testimony to the strength of this relationship. Initially driven by economic incentives, India’s Look East policy envisages multifaceted bonds with India’s extended neighbourhood in the East, particularly the Southeast Asian states. The engagement so far has yielded many dividends beyond intensifying economic interactions, including the strengthening of political trust and defence cooperation ties. The growing cooperation in the economic field (Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN, Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements with Singapore and Thailand) is matched by burgeoning cooperation in the security field. India’s inclusion as dialogue partner of ASEAN, membership in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and its inclusion in the East Asia Summit (EAS) in December 2005 have all been a part of a continuing process of mutual engagement. India’s record of a dispute-free relationship with Southeast Asian states and its accession in 2003 to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation have further contributed to greater engagement with this region.

Southeast Asia continues to be home to the fastest growing economies, commonly referred to as the ‘Tiger Economies,’ despite the downturn witnessed in late-1990s. It is strategically positioned in continuum with the region’s economic powerhouses such as Japan, China and India because of which the global community has always viewed Southeast Asia in geo-strategic terms. While the underlying geo-political circumstances have been changing over the years, its salience has never diminished.

The 9th ASC will feature six sessions, which would comprehensively seek to address the strategic security, political as well as economic facets influencing the region.

Perspectives on Southeast Asian Security (Session I)

As Southeast Asia takes rapid strides towards economic growth, it finds itself beset with many security issues, both in traditional and non-traditional terms. Centrifugal tendencies continue to simmer in some states, many of these owing to socio-economic disparities. Common interests in economic prosperity have reduced but not completely eliminated the potential for inter-state conflicts. Contentious issues such as the volatility of energy supplies and threats to their dislocation, the safety of sea lines of communication, possible decline of tourism over terror threats, have emerged as challenges that need to be addressed. The first session while laying the broad themes for the 9th ASC will place in a context regional perspectives that bring to fore the immediate and long-term security challenges faced by Southeast Asia and explore mechanisms to address the same.

Issue to be covered:
Regional Perspectives on Southeast Asian Security

Terrorism and Rise of Religious Fundamentalism (Session II)

Non-traditional security is increasingly emerging as the zone of conflict between the institutional mechanisms of an organised state and the anarchy being spread by non-state actors. Some of the challenges faced by Southeast Asia in the realm of non-traditional security are the escalation of terrorism and religious fundamentalism. Islamic radicalism seems to be gaining ground posing new challenges to established norms of governance. The rise in transnational crimes by non-state actors as evidenced by the spurt in smuggling of arms and drugs as also the emergence of criminal syndicates pose ‘asymmetrical threats’ leading to the very nature and discourse of security challenges undergoing a radical transformation. The themes to be explored in this session are as follows:
1. Terrorism, Insurgencies and Religious Fundamentalism in Southeast Asia
2. Terrorism and Trans-national Crimes in Southeast Asia

Energy and Maritime Security Issues (Session III)

Over the past several years, rising global oil prices have focused attention on the issue of energy security – the need for countries to ensure continued access to energy resources, especially oil and gas, both at home and abroad. Southeast Asia has a predominantly maritime configuration and is traversed by the world’s busiest trade routes. There is a need for countries of the region to explore and ensure the safety and security of sea-lanes as a vital component in creating the overall framework of energy sufficiency.

Demands for economic growth and development are however, bound to rekindle issues such as conflicting claims over maritime resources, harnessing of natural resources and the task of ensuring uninterrupted flow of strategic cargo, especially energy resources, to and through the region. The occurrence of natural disasters affecting the entire region and beyond is yet another pointer towards the need for cross-regional cooperation and coordination. The third session will focus on the following issues.

1. Energy Security and Southeast Asia
2. Civilian Nuclear Energy
3. Maritime Security Issues and prospects for cooperation in Southeast Asia
4. Disaster Management

Regionalism and Multilateralism in Southeast Asia (Session IV)

ASEAN as a multilateral institution is remarkable for its achievements and endeavours to accelerate economic growth and social progress of the region in a spirit of equality and partnership. Importantly, in order to strengthen the foundations for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations, ASEAN has promoted regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Institutional and multilateral cooperation with countries of the extended region are perhaps better means with which to address issues. In this regard the role of institutions such as the ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the East Asian Summit (EAS) acquire added salience. The topics to be covered under this session are as follows:

1. ASEAN and East Asian Regionalism
2. Role of EAS
3. Economic and Financial Multilateralism
4. BIMSTEC
5. Multilateral Security Cooperation

Southeast Asia and External Powers (Session V)

Owing to its many attributes, Southeast Asia will continue to attract the interests and attention of great powers. The ARF and the incipient idea of EAS are a testimony to the importance that the great powers attach to Southeast Asia. Regional powers such as China, Japan, Korea, the US as well as India are actively engaged with Southeast Asia. The easing of big power rivalry following the end of the Cold War has led to these powers looking to Southeast Asia as a region of opportunities. At the same time, given their competition and rivalry with one another, great powers have also tended to view Southeast Asia as a battleground for influence and power politics. Issues to be covered in this session are as follows:

1. China and Southeast Asia
2. United States and Southeast Asia
3. Japan and Southeast Asia
4. External Powers in Southeast Asia

India and Southeast Asia (Session VI)

India has long history of cultural and civilisational relations with Southeast Asia. Against the backdrop of far reaching international changes brought by the end of the Cold War and rapid globalisation, India initiated the ‘Look East’ policy whereby it sought greater political interaction and economic cooperation with Southeast Asia. Both bilaterally and through multilateral institutions, India sought to forge closer ties with the region. This is manifested in the growing political contacts, economic interactions, trade ties and security cooperation. Closely connected with security is the approach that India and Southeast Asian states adopt towards the major powers with stakes in the region. It is in this context that the evolution of institutions such as the East Asia Summit and BIMSTEC could hold meaning for the region. Besides these issues, it has strong connections with Southeast Asia through its diaspora. Issues to be covered in this session are as follows:

1. An Overview of India’s ‘Look East’ Policy
2. India’s Defence and Strategic relations with Southeast Asia
3. India’s Economic Interaction with Southeast Asia
4. India and East Asian Economic Integration

February 9-10, 2007
New Delhi
Security Dynamics in Southeast Asia: Emerging Threats and Responses

Programme
February 9, 2007, Friday

0900 – 1100: Inaugural Session, IDSA Auditorium

• Lighting of Ceremonial Lamp
• Invocation Song
• Welcome Remarks by Shri N.S. Sisodia, Director, IDSA
• Special Address by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri A.K. Antony
• Keynote Address by Hon’ble External Affairs Minister and President, IDSA Shri Pranab Mukherjee
• Inauguration of IDSA’s New Premises and Address by Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
• Book release by Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
• Vote of Thanks by Shri Virendra Gupta, Deputy Director, IDSA

1100 – 1130: Tea

1130 – 1330: I Session (Seminar Hall One)
Perspectives on Southeast Asian Security

Chair: Amb. Shyam Saran

• Perspectives on Southeast Asian Security – Amb. Kishore Mahbubani, Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore
• Southeast Asian Security : A View from Indonesia – Dr. Rizal Sukma, Deputy Executive Director, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia
• Southeast Asian Security : The Challenges and Regional Stakes – Amb. Sudhir Devare, Associate Senior Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore
• Perspectives on Southeast Asian Security – Mr. Zhai Kun, Director, Division of Southeast Asian Studies, CICIR, China

1130 – 1330: II Session (Seminar Hall Two)
Terrorism and Rise of Religious Fundamentalism

Chair: Amb. Arundhati Ghose

• Terrorism, Insurgency and Religious Fundamentalism in Southeast Asia – Dr. Andrew Tan, Associate Professor, University of New South Wales – Asia, Singapore
• Terrorism and Transnational Crimes in Southeast Asia – Dato Jawhar Hassan, Chairman & CEO, Institute of Strategic & International Studies, Malaysia
• The Rise of Religious Fundamentalism and Terrorism: An Islamic Experience – Prof. Azyumardi Azra, Director Graduate School, State Islamic University, Indonesia
• Terrorism and Rise of Religious Fundamentalism – Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Afsir Karim, Editor, Aakrosh, New Delhi

1330 – 1430: Luncheon Address
by H.E. Mr. Mishig Sonompil, Minister of Defence, Mongolia

1430 – 1630: III Session (Seminar Hall One)
Energy & Security Issues

Special Theme Presentation: Dr. Ligia Noronha, Director, RGS, TERI, India

Chair: Rear Adm. (Retd.) Raja Menon

• Energy Competition and Cooperation in the South China Sea: Implications for China-ASEAN Relations – Dr. Aileen Baviera, Professor & Dean, Asian Centre, University of the Philippines, Philippines
• Furthering Maritime Co-operation with Southeast Asia – Mr. Rahul Roy Chaudhury, Research Fellow, IISS, United Kingdom
• India and Malacca Straits – Cdr. Gurpreet Khurana, Research Fellow, IDSA
• Maritime Security Issues and Co-operation in Southeast Asia – Mr. Abdul Rahim Hussin, Director, Maritime Security Policy Directorate, Malaysia
• Energy Security and Southeast Asia: India’s Perspective – Dr. C. Raja Mohan, Strategic Affairs Editor, Indian Express, India

1430 – 1630: IV Session (Seminar Hall Two)
Regionalism and Multilateralism in Southeast Asia

Special Theme Presentation: Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. B. S. Malik

Chair: Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Director & Chief Executive , ICRIER, India

• ASEAN and East Asian Regionalism – Prof. Tsutomu Kikuchi, Professor, Department of International Politics, Aoyama-Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan
• ASEAN and East Asian Regionalism: Laos Perspective – Mr. Songnavong Bounnheaung, Deputy Director General, Institute of Foreign Affairs, Laos
• Multilateral Security Co-operation – Dr. Eun Suk-jong, Senior Fellow, Sejong Institute, Korea
• India and Multilateralism in Southeast Asia – Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, India
• ASEAN and East Asian Regionalism – Dr. Chap Sotharith, Executive Director, Cambodian Institute for Co-operation and Peace, Cambodia
• India and East Asian Multilateral Cooperation – Dr. GVC Naidu, Senior Fellow, IDSA

February 10, 2007, Saturday
0930 – 1300: V Session (Seminar Hall One)
Southeast Asia and External Powers

Chair: Amb. Rajiv Sikri

• China & ASEAN – Dr. Zhao Gancheng, Senior Fellow, Director, South Asia Studies Shanghai Institute for International Studies, China
• The United States and Southeast Asia: In Search of a Strategy – Dr. Jonathan Pollack, Director, Strategic Research Department, Naval War College, USA
• Southeast Asia in the Context of Russian National Interests – Prof. Victor Sumsky, Head of Section, Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Russian Academy of Sciences
• Southeast Asia: Major Power Playground or Finishing School? – Dr. Ron Huisken, Visiting Fellow, RSPAS, ANU, Australia
• China and Southeast Asia – ASEAN+1 Perspective, U Than Tun, Advisor of Foreign affairs and Joint Secretary, Myanmar
• China and Southeast Asia: Vietnam’s Perspective – Maj. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Giao, Deputy Director General, Institute of Military Strategy, Vietnam
• Conflict Resolution or Joint Development in the South China Sea – Dr. Stein Tonnesson, Director, International Peace Research Institute, Norway

1300 – 1400: Lunch

1400 – 1630: VI Session (Seminar Hall One)
India and Southeast Asia

Chair: Shri Shekhar Dutt, Defence Secretary

• India and Southeast Asia: Enhanced Defence and Strategic Ties – Dr. Udai Bhanu Singh, Research Officer, IDSA
• India’s Defence and Strategic Relations with Southeast Asia – Dr. Tim Huxley, Senior Fellow, Asia – Pacific Security, IISS, United Kingdom
• India and Singapore: Evolving Defence Cooperation – Brig. Gen. Bernard Tan, Director, Military Intelligence, Singapore
• India and East Asian Economic Integration: Current Status and Future Prospects – Dr. Amita Batra, Senior Fellow, ICRIER, India
• India and East Asian Economic Integration – Dr. Chyungly Lee, Fellow, National Chengchi IIR, Taiwan
• India in East Asian Geo-economics: The Security and Strategic Implications – Dr. Chyungly Lee, Associate Research Fellow, IIR, National Chengchi University, Taiwan

1630 – 1715: Valedictory Session (IDSA Auditorium)

Chair: Shri NN Vohra

Valedictory Address by Raksha Mantri
Vote of Thanks by Shri N.S. Sisodia, Director, IDSA