What if Sri Lanka joined ASEAN?

[Godman]

The South East Asian economies came together under the umbrella of the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. Like their European counterparts, ASEAN was initially regarded more as a political forum, intended to provide a "buffer" against the spread of communism in East and South East Asia, rather than as a group with an explicit commitment to promote economic cooperation in the region. Thus, it was almost 25 years after its initial establishment that ASEAN took the initiative to accelerate economic integration through the creation of a regional free trade area.

Sri Lanka, which had been invited to accept membership of ASEAN from its inception, opted instead to maintain its commitment to a "non-aligned" status. Global economic changes in the 1980s, however, prompted Sri Lanka to review its position, vis-à-vis membership of regional blocs, and it became a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985. The latter part of the 1980s saw a proliferation of new regional trade blocs, and the emergence of three distinct economic power blocs in North America, Europe and East Asia. As the increasing cost of being on the periphery of these growth centres was becoming more apparent, Sri Lanka unsuccessfully sought to establish a dialogue partnership with ASEAN in 1992. ASEAN's relations with third countries are presently at full dialogue or sectoral dialogue levels. The process of becoming a full dialogue partner starts with sectoral cooperation.

www.ips.lk/intecon/research/prospects/prospects.html

investvine.com/expanding-asean-five-candidates-and-their-options/

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka actually received an invitation to join ASEAN when it was formed over 46 years ago but did not accept. Since then, political, trade and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and ASEAN member states have been tight and mutually beneficial. Sri Lanka is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and has played a leading role in promoting regional economic and cultural cooperation. Yet, SAARC is bogged down mainly due to India’s size and the India-Pakistan rivalry. Becoming a member of ASEAN would give Sri Lanka an insurance policy against unwelcomed Indian interference. The biggest gain Sri Lanka stands to benefit from an ASEAN membership is easier access to trading and investment opportunities in the region. Seeking membership of ASEAN is not an impossible task for Sri Lanka, however, it will have to think about the fact that it is geographically not a part of Southeast Asia, which is one major – though not untouchable – precondition.

 

[Godman]

@Gibbs @Nilgiri @Saradiel @AndrewJin @NGV-H

 

[wiseone2]

The South East Asian economies came together under the umbrella of the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. Like their European counterparts, ASEAN was initially regarded more as a political forum, intended to provide a "buffer" against the spread of communism in East and South East Asia, rather than as a group with an explicit commitment to promote economic cooperation in the region. Thus, it was almost 25 years after its initial establishment that ASEAN took the initiative to accelerate economic integration through the creation of a regional free trade area.

Sri Lanka, which had been invited to accept membership of ASEAN from its inception, opted instead to maintain its commitment to a "non-aligned" status. Global economic changes in the 1980s, however, prompted Sri Lanka to review its position, vis-à-vis membership of regional blocs, and it became a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985. The latter part of the 1980s saw a proliferation of new regional trade blocs, and the emergence of three distinct economic power blocs in North America, Europe and East Asia. As the increasing cost of being on the periphery of these growth centres was becoming more apparent, Sri Lanka unsuccessfully sought to establish a dialogue partnership with ASEAN in 1992. ASEAN's relations with third countries are presently at full dialogue or sectoral dialogue levels. The process of becoming a full dialogue partner starts with sectoral cooperation.

www.ips.lk/intecon/research/prospects/prospects.html

investvine.com/expanding-asean-five-candidates-and-their-options/

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka actually received an invitation to join ASEAN when it was formed over 46 years ago but did not accept. Since then, political, trade and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and ASEAN member states have been tight and mutually beneficial. Sri Lanka is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and has played a leading role in promoting regional economic and cultural cooperation. Yet, SAARC is bogged down mainly due to India’s size and the India-Pakistan rivalry. Becoming a member of ASEAN would give Sri Lanka an insurance policy against unwelcomed Indian interference. The biggest gain Sri Lanka stands to benefit from an ASEAN membership is easier access to trading and investment opportunities in the region. Seeking membership of ASEAN is not an impossible task for Sri Lanka, however, it will have to think about the fact that it is geographically not a part of Southeast Asia, which is one major – though not untouchable – precondition.

ASEAN is not too much better than SAARC. I see it splitting and going in different directions on China

SAARC has been useless because the mandarins in Delhi have been clueless and insensitive to other smaller South Asian states. If they do clean up their act SAARC can be functional minus our friends on the Western border.

 

[AndrewJin]

I personally think ASEAN is much more stronger than the cooperation in South Asia. I think you might have heard, ASEAN+3(3 East Asian countries), ASEAN+China, etc. The ties between ASEAN and East Asian countries are very close. In China's southwest provinces, there are a lot of permanent venues for an array of annual meetings, forums, expos, fairs and other activities. There is a new one inaugurated a couple of days ago in Guiyang City in China's Guizhou Province for education cooperation. In Chinese universities, there are a huge number of exchange students from ASEAN, even some very remote universities located in nowhere attract students from ASEAN.

I think joining is a good idea. Joining this unique manufacturing chain and world's biggest market (ASEAN+3) is always beneficial.

 

[Kambojaric]

Undoubtedly. Surprised Sri Lanka hasn't pursued membership in ASEAN already. SAARC is a lost cause and a waste of time frankly. The larger nations in ASEAN unlike SAARC behave more maturely so Sri Lanka should certainly look towards that direction more.

 

[AndrewJin]

 

[Tom M]

The South East Asian economies came together under the umbrella of the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. Like their European counterparts, ASEAN was initially regarded more as a political forum, intended to provide a "buffer" against the spread of communism in East and South East Asia, rather than as a group with an explicit commitment to promote economic cooperation in the region. Thus, it was almost 25 years after its initial establishment that ASEAN took the initiative to accelerate economic integration through the creation of a regional free trade area.

Sri Lanka, which had been invited to accept membership of ASEAN from its inception, opted instead to maintain its commitment to a "non-aligned" status. Global economic changes in the 1980s, however, prompted Sri Lanka to review its position, vis-à-vis membership of regional blocs, and it became a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985. The latter part of the 1980s saw a proliferation of new regional trade blocs, and the emergence of three distinct economic power blocs in North America, Europe and East Asia. As the increasing cost of being on the periphery of these growth centres was becoming more apparent, Sri Lanka unsuccessfully sought to establish a dialogue partnership with ASEAN in 1992. ASEAN's relations with third countries are presently at full dialogue or sectoral dialogue levels. The process of becoming a full dialogue partner starts with sectoral cooperation.

www.ips.lk/intecon/research/prospects/prospects.html

investvine.com/expanding-asean-five-candidates-and-their-options/

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka actually received an invitation to join ASEAN when it was formed over 46 years ago but did not accept. Since then, political, trade and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and ASEAN member states have been tight and mutually beneficial. Sri Lanka is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and has played a leading role in promoting regional economic and cultural cooperation. Yet, SAARC is bogged down mainly due to India’s size and the India-Pakistan rivalry. Becoming a member of ASEAN would give Sri Lanka an insurance policy against unwelcomed Indian interference. The biggest gain Sri Lanka stands to benefit from an ASEAN membership is easier access to trading and investment opportunities in the region. Seeking membership of ASEAN is not an impossible task for Sri Lanka, however, it will have to think about the fact that it is geographically not a part of Southeast Asia, which is one major – though not untouchable – precondition.

It will certainly benefit SL. But by joining ASEAN it doesn't mean that Sri Lanka should leave SAARC, atleast it's never a prerequisite.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Just go for ASEAN. As long as India and Pakistan are in SAARC, its a lost cause.

 

[Gibbs]

Sri Lanka was infact invited to join ASEAN, But from what i heard there was opposition from Singapore especially by LKY because he saw Colombo as a direct threat to Singapore as a economic hub, Mind you this was before Singapore developed in to what it is today.. Also due to short sighted policies of then govts in Ceylon i think as @Godman rightly said lost a golden opportunity

 

[Riyad]

Bangladesh also seeks membership of ASEAN. We are the bridge between South Asia and South East Asia.

 

[Śakra]

Lanka is in SAARC?! I've never considered them to be desi. They seem as foreign to the Subcontinent as Mauritius or Seychelles.

 

[wiseone2]

Bangladesh also seeks membership of ASEAN. We are the bridge between South Asia and South East Asia.

if you can get along with Burma

Sri Lanka was infact invited to join ASEAN, But from what i heard there was opposition from Singapore especially by LKY because he saw Colombo as a direct threat to Singapore as a economic hub, Mind you this was before Singapore developed in to what it is today.. Also due to short sighted policies of then govts in Ceylon i think as @Godman rightly said lost a golden opportunity

LKY is a sharp fellow

 

[nautilaceae]

There's no chance of Sri Lanka or Bangladesh joining ASEAN now.

ASEAN Charter requires applicant to be located in the geographical region of South East Asia.

 

[Riyad]

if you can get along with Burma



LKY is a sharp fellow

Bangladesh is regional forum member of ASEAN but not full member of ASEAN. Yes, Myanmar doesn't want us to be in ASEAN. We have Rohingya disbute with them. They deny to give citizenship to Rohingyas on ground of religion and similarities with Bangladeshis but they don't know that Rohingyas are alien to us. We don't understand their language, they may look like Bangladeshis but culturally they are different from Bangladeshis.

Lanka is in SAARC?! I've never considered them to be desi. They seem as foreign to the Subcontinent as Mauritius or Seychelles.

They are similar to South Indians. Have uniqueness but still similar to South Indian. Sri Lankans ancestors were mostly from Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

 

[Species]

if you can get along with Burma

Burma is not an issue, the real heavy weights in ASEAN are Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines, we don't have any dispute with them, instead we have warm relations with these countries and they have passively supported Bangladesh's entry to ASEAN.