Competing Desires: India's Look East and Act East Policy

India's Look East policy, established in 2014, aimed to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia. It was revised in 2015 to address China's increasing influence and the Sino-Pakistan liaison. This book explores the policy's development, transition, and impacts on India's foreign policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 124 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Indias Look East policy marked a significant shift in its foreign policy, opening up a new strategic dimension. With strong cultural and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian nations, India sought to strengthen its relations. However, its non-aligned diplomatic stance created a distance between India and Southeast Asia. The adoption of the Look East Policy led to the establishment of economic and strategic ties with the region. In response to Chinas increasing influence in South and Southeast Asia, the policy was revised in 2015 as the Act East Policy. This shift was crucial in addressing India's security concerns and the Sino-Pakistan liaison, which further emphasized the importance of India-Southeast Asia relations.

This book aims to trace the development of the Look East Policy, its transition into the Act East Policy, and its subsequent impact on Indias foreign policy. By examining these changing parameters, we can understand the decisive influences on the transformative phases of India's foreign policy.

The Look East Policy was initiated in the early 1990s, with the aim of enhancing economic and political ties with Southeast Asian nations. It recognized the importance of the region in India's strategic interests, given its proximity, shared cultural heritage, and potential for economic growth. Under the policy, India established diplomatic relations with several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

However, the non-aligned diplomatic position of India created a distance between India and Southeast Asia. While India sought to maintain its independence and avoid being drawn into regional conflicts, its reluctance to align itself with any particular regional grouping or alliance hampered its efforts to strengthen its relations with the region. This was particularly evident in the case of the ASEAN, which India had been hesitant to join due to its concerns about the dominance of China and the Philippines.

Despite these challenges, the Look East Policy continued to evolve. In 2015, the policy was revised and rebranded as the Act East Policy, with a greater emphasis on security and strategic cooperation. The policy recognized the growing threat posed by China and Pakistan to India's security and sought to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asian countries to counter these challenges.

One of the key aspects of the Act East Policy was the establishment of the East Asia Summit, which brought together leaders from India, Japan, and several Southeast Asian countries. The summit aimed to promote economic cooperation, security, and cultural exchange in the region. It also sought to address regional issues such as terrorism, maritime security, and climate change.

The Sino-Pakistan liaison further emphasized the importance of India-Southeast Asia relations. The relationship between China and Pakistan has been complex and often fraught with tension and conflict. However, the increasing influence of China in South and Southeast Asia posed a threat to India's security interests. The Act East Policy aimed to strengthen India's ties with Southeast Asian countries to counterbalance China's influence and promote regional stability.

The strengthening of India-Southeast Asia relations has had several benefits for both countries. It has facilitated economic cooperation, including trade and investment, and has promoted cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts. It has also helped to address regional issues such as terrorism and maritime security, which have implications for the broader Indo-Pacific region.

However, there are also challenges associated with the Act East Policy. One of the concerns is the potential for India to become overly dependent on Southeast Asia, particularly given the region's economic and political volatility. Another concern is the potential for India to align itself too closely with any particular Southeast Asian country, which could lead to tensions with other countries in the region.

To address these challenges, India needs to maintain a balanced and nuanced approach to its relations with Southeast Asia. It should continue to prioritize its independence and avoid being drawn into regional conflicts. It should also seek to strengthen its ties with all Southeast Asian countries, rather than focusing solely on any particular one.

In conclusion, Indias Look East policy marked a significant shift in its foreign policy, opening up a new strategic dimension. The adoption of the Look East Policy led to the establishment of economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia, which were further strengthened by the revision of the policy into the Act East Policy. The Sino-Pakistan liaison further emphasized the importance of India-Southeast Asia relations, which have had several benefits for both countries. However, there are also challenges associated with the policy, and India needs to maintain a balanced and nuanced approach to its relations with Southeast Asia to ensure its long-term security and prosperity.

Weight: 172g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032535951