Whither Asean centrality?

Submarine scare: The US-Australia nuclear submarine deal under Aukus is a major concern for Asean and other countries in the region. – AP

AUSTRALIA and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) agreed to establish a “comprehensive strategic partnership” at the recent 38th Asean Summit, as the Oceania country underscored its commitment to the regional bloc’s central role in the Indo-Pacific.

“Australia supports a peaceful, stable, resilient, and prosperous region, with Asean at its heart,” Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a joint statement at the summit.