From ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’: Broadened Horizon of India-Southeast Asia Relations

Abstract

The early years of the 1990s were a remarkable period for India, as it witnessed not only the New Economic Reforms but also a set of revamped foreign policies. It was during this time that policymakers realised the gradual establishment of a new world order and the need for countries to engage with one another on the global stage. The ‘Look East Policy’ was one such initiative that highlighted a shift regarding India’s international relations and foreign policies. It was the success of the LEP that motivated Indian policymakers to further develop it into a more action- and outcome-based policy. As a result, the Act East Policy was announced in 2014 with a broader scope covering security, strategic, and cultural dimensions along with the previously existing focus on trade and economics. In the present geopolitical context, the Southeast Asian region is of great significance, and both India and ASEAN nations play central roles in the larger Indo-Pacific framework. The year 2024 marked the completion of a decade of India’s Act East Policy, and India-ASEAN relations have not only advanced but also entered a new phase following the launch of the policy. Therefore, the paper aims to identify the expanded vision under the current Act East Policy compared to the earlier Look East Policy, focus on the key achievements of the AEP, and explore possible avenues for ongoing cooperation between India and ASEAN. The methodology used is qualitative, relying on analytical and descriptive methods. The research primarily depends on secondary sources such as books, articles, and journals, along with primary sources like government reports and press releases.