By Nabilah Saleh
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) work along the ASEAN-centric approach to regional security and economy under the concept of ‘ASEAN centrality’, a keyword now in the grouping's diplomacy.
ASEAN centrality hinges on unity and a united voice in taking a stand and finding solutions for issues faced by members and the region as a whole, and ASEAN remains the core of all partnerships, forums and institutions related to the grouping.
Come 2022, ASEAN’s centrality will be under the radar as the 10-member grouping dwells further into divisive issues - Myanmar's internal problems, the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) trilateral Indo-Pacific security pact, and the contentious overlapping claims in South China Sea.
Of late it seems that some ASEAN members wanted to do things their own way, like seen in the stand taken over AUKUS and also over Myanmar. So wither ASEAN centrality?
Speaking to Bernama, a strategic affairs expert Rahul Mishra opined that ASEAN as a regional group has to keep moving forward and keep a united front.
"Of course, member states have differing perceptions on issues such as the South China Sea, AUKUS, etc. But there must be a consensus on keeping ASEAN unity and centrality intact.
Last Update: 17/01/2023