India’s Act East Policy | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Look East Policy

Act East Policy

The Act East Policy, introduced in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, succeeds the Look East Policy and focuses on the Asia-Pacific region. Originally an economic initiative, it has evolved to encompass political, strategic, and cultural dimensions. The policy emphasizes cooperation with ASEAN nations in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing, trade, skills development, urban renewal, and more. A key objective is to enhance connectivity, especially for India's North Eastern Region, including Arunachal Pradesh.

Strategic Angle of Act East Policy

Indo-Pacific:

• India views ASEAN and Southeast Asia as central to the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. The Act East Policy forms the core of India's strategic approach in the region, with efforts to widen security cooperation through initiatives like the proposed quadrilateral coalition involving India, the US, Japan, and Australia.

China Factor:

• India's focus on the Act East Policy is necessitated by China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and its growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.

Maritime Goals:

• Both India and ASEAN share maritime interests, collaborating on activities such as developing a blue economy, coastal surveillance, offshore patrolling capabilities, hydrographic services, and information sharing for increased maritime domain awareness.

Regional Relationships:

ASEAN:

• India and ASEAN have transformed from dialogue partners to strategic partners, sharing a vision of inclusion, integration, and support for free and open pathways of commerce.

Indonesia:

• Indonesia is a key player in extending India's maritime outreach, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Singapore:

• Singapore serves as a bridge between India and ASEAN, symbolizing the heritage of their ties and potential for future collaboration.

Myanmar and Thailand:

• Stronger ties with Myanmar contribute to peace, stability, and security in India's north-eastern states. Collaborations with Thailand also play a role in regional stability.

Challenges

India faces challenges such as a trade deficit with RCEP countries, unaddressed needs in services and skilled labor mobility, and the inability to fully capitalize on past FTAs. China's strategic infrastructure development poses additional challenges.

Way Forward

The success of the Act East Policy is crucial for enhancing connectivity in India's north-east. Collaboration with South China Sea countries needs reinforcement. India should focus on strengthening ties with ASEAN nations, the US, Japan, Korea, Australia, and China. Continuous engagement with China is necessary for expanding cooperation, particularly in the economic domain. Soft power, economic revival, counterterrorism efforts, and maritime security should be prioritized. Bureaucratic shifts aim to articulate regional policies more coherently.