What is India's Act East Policy?
Historical Background
Key Points
9 points- 1.
Focus on 4 Cs: Culture, Commerce, Connectivity, Capacity Building.
- 2.
Deepening ties with ASEAN as the central pillar of India's engagement with the region.
- 3.
Enhancing economic cooperation through trade, investment, infrastructure development, and digital partnerships.
- 4.
Strengthening strategic and security cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain, counter-terrorism, and defense exercises.
- 5.
Promoting people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, tourism, and educational linkages.
- 6.
Active participation in regional forums such as East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).
- 7.
Connectivity projects: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, and maritime links.
- 8.
Emphasis on the North Eastern Region of India as a gateway to Southeast Asia, promoting its development and integration.
- 9.
India-ASEAN relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Recent Developments
5 developmentsIncreased defense cooperation and joint military exercises with countries like Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Focus on maritime domain awareness and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
India's continued engagement with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations (though India later withdrew) and other trade agreements.
Emphasis on digital connectivity, innovation partnerships, and start-up ecosystems with ASEAN nations.
Strengthening of cultural ties through initiatives like the ASEAN-India Music Festival and student exchange programs.