What is Act East Policy?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Economic Cooperation: Deepening trade, investment, and connectivity with countries in the region, including through FTAs and regional economic blocs like ASEAN.
- 2.
Strategic Engagement: Enhancing defense and security cooperation, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
- 3.
Connectivity: Improving physical connectivity (roads, ports, air links) and digital connectivity (IT, telecom) with Southeast Asia and beyond (e.g., India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project).
- 4.
People-to-People Contacts: Promoting cultural exchanges, tourism, education, and diaspora engagement to build stronger bonds.
- 5.
Multilateralism: Active participation in regional forums like ASEAN, EAS (East Asia Summit), BIMSTEC, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, and ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum).
- 6.
Focus on ASEAN: ASEAN remains the central pillar of the policy, with India elevating its relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
- 7.
Extended Reach: Includes countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island Countries, reflecting a broader geographical scope.
- 8.
Four Cs: Emphasizes Culture, Commerce, Connectivity, and Capacity Building as key pillars of engagement.
- 9.
Aims to counter China's growing influence and ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
- 10.
Promotes India's role as a reliable partner and net security provider in the region.
Visual Insights
India's Act East Policy: Geographical Scope & Key Partners
This map illustrates the geographical reach of India's 'Act East Policy', highlighting the key regions and countries it aims to engage with, including ASEAN, East Asia, and Oceania, with New Zealand being a part of this expanded focus.
- ๐India โ India: Origin of Act East Policy
- ๐Singapore โ ASEAN Member: Key economic & strategic partner
- ๐Vietnam โ ASEAN Member: Important for maritime security
- ๐Japan โ East Asia: Key strategic partner (Quad member)
- ๐Australia โ Oceania: Key strategic partner (Quad member)
- ๐New Zealand โ Oceania: Expanding engagement under Act East
- ๐Myanmar โ Gateway to ASEAN: Trilateral Highway
Evolution & Milestones of India's Act East Policy
This timeline illustrates the progression of India's engagement with its eastern neighbors, from the 'Look East Policy' to the more proactive 'Act East Policy', highlighting key events and developments up to 2025.
The Act East Policy is a strategic evolution of the Look East Policy, broadening its geographical scope and deepening its engagement from purely economic to strategic and cultural dimensions. This policy has been instrumental in shaping India's role as a responsible stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific, with significant developments in recent years.
- 1992India's 'Look East Policy' launched by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao
- 2010India-ASEAN FTA on Goods comes into effect
- 2014India's 'Act East Policy' launched by PM Narendra Modi
- 2017Revival of Quad Dialogue (India, US, Japan, Australia)
- 2018India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit: Delhi Declaration
- 2021First Leaders' Summit of Quad (virtual)
- 2022India-ASEAN relations elevated to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'
- 2023-2025Continued focus on maritime security, connectivity projects (e.g., Trilateral Highway), and FTA negotiations (e.g., with New Zealand) under Act East
Recent Developments
5 developmentsIncreased engagement with Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) as part of the broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
Focus on maritime security and blue economy cooperation with regional partners, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
India's participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a US-led initiative.
Enhanced defense cooperation and joint military exercises with countries like Vietnam, Singapore, and Japan.
Emphasis on digital connectivity, startup ecosystem collaboration, and space cooperation with East Asian partners.