Overview

The "Act East Policy" of India represents a significant strategic and economic shift in its foreign policy, emphasizing stronger engagement with Southeast Asia and East Asia. Initiated in the early 21st century, the policy is an evolution of the earlier "Look East Policy" introduced in the early 1990s. The primary objective of the Act East Policy is to enhance India's influence and strengthen ties with the dynamic economies of East Asia, aligning with India's broader strategic interests in the region. This article by Academic Block will cover the historical context of the policy, its objectives, key components and initiatives, its impact and achievements, the challenges and criticisms it faces, and its future prospects.

Historical Context

Look East Policy

India's initial outreach to Southeast Asia began with the Look East Policy, introduced by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. This policy aimed to revitalize India's economic and strategic connections with the countries of Southeast Asia, which had been relatively neglected during the Cold War. The Look East Policy was a response to the global economic changes and the need for India to integrate more deeply with the global economy. It focused on economic cooperation, trade, and investment, marking a significant departure from India's previous inward-looking economic policies.

Transition to Act East Policy

By the early 21st century, the regional and global dynamics had changed considerably. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Act East Policy was launched in 2014, reflecting India's intent to not just look east but to act more proactively in the region. The policy aimed at a deeper and more comprehensive engagement with ASEAN countries, as well as with Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The Act East Policy was driven by the recognition that the economic and strategic stakes in the region had grown immensely, necessitating a more robust and multidimensional approach.

Objectives and Strategic Imperatives

The Act East Policy is driven by several strategic and economic imperatives:

Economic Integration

One of the core objectives of the Act East Policy is to enhance economic integration with Southeast Asia and East Asia. This involves increasing trade and investment flows, improving connectivity, and fostering greater economic cooperation. The region represents a significant market for Indian goods and services and offers vast opportunities for investment and technology transfer. Enhanced economic integration is seen as crucial for India's own economic growth and development.

Strategic and Security Interests

The strategic dimension of the Act East Policy is underscored by the changing security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. With the rise of China and its assertive behavior in the South China Sea, India has sought to strengthen its strategic partnerships with countries in the region. This includes enhanced defense cooperation, joint military exercises, and greater collaboration on maritime security. The Act East Policy aims to position India as a key player in the regional security architecture, contributing to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region.

Cultural and People-to-People Ties

The Act East Policy also seeks to deepen cultural and people-to-people ties with the region. This involves promoting cultural exchanges, educational cooperation, and tourism. The cultural and historical ties between India and Southeast Asia are centuries old, and the policy aims to revive and strengthen these connections. People-to-people ties are seen as a vital component of the overall relationship, fostering greater mutual understanding and goodwill.

Key Components and Initiatives

Economic Cooperation and Trade

Under the Act East Policy, India has pursued several initiatives to boost economic cooperation and trade with the region. This includes signing free trade agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN countries and negotiating comprehensive economic partnerships with key regional players like Japan and South Korea. India has also been an active participant in regional economic forums such as the ASEAN-India Summit, the East Asia Summit, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations.

Connectivity and Infrastructure

Improving connectivity with Southeast Asia and East Asia is a key focus of the Act East Policy. This involves developing infrastructure projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project. These projects aim to enhance physical connectivity, facilitating smoother trade and people-to-people movement. Additionally, India has invested in port development and air connectivity to strengthen its links with the region.

Defense and Security Cooperation

The Act East Policy has a strong defense and security component, with India seeking to enhance its strategic partnerships with regional countries. This includes conducting joint military exercises, enhancing defense cooperation, and collaborating on maritime security. India has signed defense cooperation agreements with several ASEAN countries and has participated in multilateral naval exercises such as the Malabar Exercise, which includes Japan and the United States. The policy aims to build a network of strategic partnerships that contribute to regional security and stability.

Diplomatic Engagement

Diplomatic engagement is a cornerstone of the Act East Policy. India has actively engaged with regional countries through bilateral and multilateral forums. This includes regular high-level visits, participation in regional summits, and active involvement in ASEAN-led mechanisms. India's diplomatic outreach aims to strengthen political and strategic ties, build trust, and foster greater cooperation on regional and global issues.

Cultural and Educational Exchanges

The Act East Policy places a strong emphasis on cultural and educational exchanges. This involves promoting Indian culture, arts, and heritage in the region, as well as facilitating greater academic and research collaboration. Initiatives such as the ASEAN-India Cultural Exchange Program and scholarships for students from Southeast Asia are part of this effort. The policy aims to build enduring cultural and educational ties that complement the economic and strategic dimensions of the relationship.

Impact and Achievements

Economic Impact

The Act East Policy has had a positive impact on India's economic relations with Southeast Asia and East Asia. Trade and investment flows have increased significantly, with ASEAN emerging as one of India's largest trading partners. Indian companies have expanded their presence in the region, and there has been a rise in joint ventures and collaborations. The policy has also contributed to the growth of India's northeastern states, which serve as a gateway to Southeast Asia, through improved connectivity and infrastructure development.

Strategic and Security Gains

Strategically, the Act East Policy has enhanced India's role in the Indo-Pacific region. India's strategic partnerships with countries like Japan, Vietnam, and Australia have been strengthened, contributing to regional security and stability. Joint military exercises, defense cooperation agreements, and collaboration on maritime security have bolstered India's strategic presence in the region. The policy has also helped India to play a more proactive role in regional security forums and mechanisms.

Cultural and People-to-People Ties

The cultural and people-to-people dimension of the Act East Policy has led to a deepening of ties with the region. Cultural festivals, exchange programs, and tourism initiatives have fostered greater mutual understanding and goodwill. Educational cooperation and scholarships have facilitated academic exchanges, contributing to the growth of knowledge and innovation. These ties have added a rich and enduring dimension to India's relationship with Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Challenges and Criticisms

Implementation and Coordination

One of the key challenges of the Act East Policy is its implementation and coordination. While the policy has ambitious goals, translating them into concrete actions on the ground has been challenging. Infrastructure projects have faced delays, and there have been issues with coordination among various government agencies. Ensuring effective implementation requires addressing these challenges and improving coordination mechanisms.

Regional Geopolitical Dynamics

The evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region pose another challenge for the Act East Policy. The rise of China and its assertive behavior in the South China Sea have created tensions and uncertainties. Balancing relationships with regional countries while managing the complex dynamics with China requires a nuanced and strategic approach. India's engagement with the region must navigate these geopolitical challenges to achieve its objectives.

Economic and Developmental Constraints

India's economic and developmental constraints also impact the Act East Policy. While the policy aims to enhance economic integration, India's own economic challenges can limit its ability to fully leverage the opportunities in the region. Addressing these constraints and ensuring sustainable economic growth is crucial for the success of the policy.

Future Prospects

Strengthening Regional Integration

The future of the Act East Policy lies in strengthening regional integration through enhanced economic cooperation, connectivity, and strategic partnerships. This involves continuing to invest in infrastructure projects, deepening trade and investment ties, and fostering greater economic collaboration. Strengthening regional integration will contribute to India's economic growth and its strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Enhancing Strategic Partnerships

Enhancing strategic partnerships with regional countries will remain a key focus of the Act East Policy. This includes expanding defense cooperation, participating in regional security forums, and collaborating on maritime security. Strengthening strategic partnerships will position India as a key player in the regional security architecture and contribute to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region.

Promoting Cultural and Educational Exchanges

Promoting cultural and educational exchanges will continue to be an important dimension of the Act East Policy. This involves fostering greater people-to-people ties, facilitating academic and research collaboration, and promoting Indian culture and heritage in the region. Building strong cultural and educational ties will complement the economic and strategic dimensions of the policy, creating a comprehensive and enduring relationship with the region.

Final Words

The Act East Policy represents a significant strategic and economic shift in India's foreign policy, emphasizing stronger engagement with Southeast Asia and East Asia. It aims to enhance economic integration, strengthen strategic partnerships, and deepen cultural and people-to-people ties. While the policy has achieved significant gains, it faces challenges in implementation, regional geopolitical dynamics, and economic constraints. Addressing these challenges and building on the successes of the policy will be crucial for India's future engagement with the region. The Act East Policy holds the potential to position India as a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to regional security, stability, and prosperity. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below to help us make this article better. Your feedback is important to us. Thank you for Reading!