CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- In a series of previous articles on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, a certain vacuum has been noted: Although this regional organization has managed through the years to establish meaningful connections with various countries of the world, its links with India, have been rather weak. It seems odd to see increasing cooperation between ASEAN and nations or regional groupings far away amid a conspicuous lack of institutional links with a South Asian power representing one-sixth of the planet's population.

Aside from the demographics, it's rather absurd how the two regions have ignored the repercussions of each other's policies. Such an omission might have been excused in earlier times, but in the era of globalization, it's hard to believe. Mechanisms for consultation and cooperation have become imperative.

Some analysts have wished for such a relationship to develop in order to balance the strong Chinese influence in the Southeast Asian region. The external dimension of ASEAN, however, should aim not so much at forming counterweights to dynamic partners as to establishing more harmonious and comprehensive relations with important neighbors on the same continent. As ASEAN has rightly strived to develop links eastward with East Asia, it would be equally appropriate to cultivate similar ones westward, with South Asia.