This book discusses the shifting regional geopolitical engagements and development of rearranged connections emerging among ASEAN and non-ASEAN actors.First, the book focuses on the crucial discourse surrounding the Indo-Pacific region, including its challenges, continuity, and relevance. The discussion highlights the growing influence of regional actors such as India, Thailand, Japan, and the US, particularly in the context of a pressing question of collaboration versus containment amidst China's rise. The book delves into various topics, such as geopolitical anxieties, economic strength, foreign policy, international relations, development, and security promotion in South and Southeast Asia, through the lenses of ASEAN centrality and the Indo-Pacific strategy.Second, the volume emphasizes on the escalating tensions and the worsening crises in the region that cause major anxieties and the subsequent realignment and new alignment of countries' relationships.Among several chapters of the volume, a large Indo-China state, Myanmar, takes a special place in the book's discussions as it has grown as an important ground for a resource/energy race among geopolitically strategic partners. Additionally, Myanmar has the potential to become a balancer in ASEAN. Therefore, any positive development and change in course of relations to Myanmar, particularly with its neighbors, Japan, and Russia, in both historical and contemporary contexts, can have a significant impact not only on Myanmar's course towards peace, democracy, and security, but also regional stability. The editors and contributors examine the unique position of ASEAN, with a focus on ASEAN centrality as a platform for addressing anxieties and building relationships to bridge the gap between world and regional players, including both friends and foes.Overall, the volume provides valuable insights into the Indo-Pacific region's complex dynamics, including cooperation and collaboration among regional actors for long-term stability and prosperity. The interdisciplinary composition of the book invites readers from various backgrounds to engage with constructive debates on general perception, contextual discussion, and the highlights of engaged research from local and international perspectives.

Takes a versatile and multifaceted approach toward understanding the processes and impacts of India's role Provides a unique and insightful analysis on how Japan's enabling approach to Myanmar has implications Highlights the role of ASEAN in its existing centrality principle

Autorentext

Dr. Chosein Yamahata is a Professor of Global and Area Studies at the Graduate School of Policy Studies, Aichi Gakuin University, Japan.

Professor Dr. Sueo Sudo is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Graduate School of Policy Studies, Aichi Gakuin University, Japan, who teaches at Thammasat University in Thailand.

Inhalt
Part I Revealing India's Impacts.- 1 New Geopolitical Landscape and Resource Security.- 2 India's Look East and Act East Policies from a Historical and Contemporary Perspectives.- 3 The Role of India in South Asia's Economic Development.- 4 Financial Stability of Microfinance Institutions in the Post Global Financial Crisis: A Case of South Asia.- 5 India and Southeast Asia Relations: Evolution, Challenges and Recent Developments.- 6 India's Vaccine Diplomacy: Implications for Regional Connectivity and Global Security.- Part II Reinforcing Japan-Myanmar Relations.- 7 Japan-Myanmar Relations in Democratising Development: Disordered Army State to a Hybrid Democracy.- 8 Patterns of Myanmar's Foreign Policy: The Case of Omni-balancing in Changing Environment.- 9 Japan's Mekong Policy and Myanmar: Complementing a Viable Strategic Partnership.- 10 Patterns of Japanese Development Assistance for Social Transformation in Reform-Era Myanmar.- 11 Promoting Human Security by Japanese NGOs: Filling the void in G-to-G Assistance in Myanmar.- 12 Strengthening Press Freedom in Myanmar from Japan's Perspective.- 13 The Post-2020 Election Democratic Consolidation in Myanmar: Possibilities, Challenges and Collaborations.- Part III Reviewing ASEAN Centrality.- 14 ASEAN Centrality and Outlook on Indo-Pacific: The Origin, Adjustment and Opportunity.- 15 Japan's Relations with ASEAN Post-COVID19: Navigating the New Cold War.- 16 China's Role of Trade and Investment in CLMV: Cross the Mekong River by First Touching the Stone.- 17 Energy Transition in Thailand and Southeast Asia through China's Energy Diplomacy.- 18 India's Commitment to ASEAN and the China Conundrum.- 19 The Triangle of Connectivity: The India-Myanmar-Japan Relations and Changing Currents in ASEAN.