REINVIGORATING THE EAST ASIA SUMMIT SYNOPSIS COMMENTARY

Instead, Southeast Asia is now seen as the centre of the strategic construct of the Indo-Pacific, given its geographical location at the meeting point of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. [...] As the EAS already consists of all the major powers in the Indo-Pacific, widening the strategic landscape of the EAS from East Asia to the wider Indo-Pacific arena will further enhance the strategic role of the EAS and ASEAN. [...] To strengthen ASEAN Centrality in the EAS and the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN may want to consider further aligning the respective principles, objectives and priorities of the AOIP and EAS. [...] Considering the current geopolitical climate in the Indo-Pacific and in pursuit of reinvigorating the EAS and boosting confidence and strategic trust, ASEAN and other EAS participating countries may wish to reiterate their commitment to the principles in the Declaration. [...] Further aligning the AOIP and the EAS will strengthen the EAS in the Indo-Pacific context and entrench ASEAN’s central role in this region.