India’s ‘Act East Policy’
The ‘Act East Policy’ announced in November, 2014 is the upgrade of the “Look East Policy”.
It is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels.
It involves intensive and continuous engagement with Southeast Asian countries in the field of connectivity, trade, culture, defence and people-to-people-contact at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
It also aims to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and developing a strategic relationship with countries in Indo-pacific region with a proactive and pragmatic approach and thereby improving the economic development of the North Eastern Region (NER) which is a gateway to the South East Asia Region.
It aims to strengthen India's economic and strategic ties with countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia.
The countries include Japan, South Korea, and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
It was initially an economic policy but has evolved to include cultural, political, and strategic components.
Institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation were established under this policy.
The policy focuses on India-ASEAN cooperation in domestic initiatives.
This includes infrastructure, manufacturing, trade, and smart cities.
Major projects under the policy include:
India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport
Rhi-Tiddim Road Project
Border Haats.
Significance of the Act East Policy
The Act East Policy is bolstered due to China's increasing influence in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean regions.
The policy can help secure freedom of navigation and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.
India's engagement with QUAD is an extension of its efforts to enhance security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The end of the Cold War and China's growing power have changed the nature of Indo-ASEAN relations.
India's Act East Policy aims to achieve its long-term developmental goals for the Northeastern region.
It provides an additional path to accelerate economic development, countering China's rising aggression in South Asia.
COMMENTS