2 minPolitical Concept
Political Concept

Act East Policy

Act East Policy क्या है?

India's Act East Policy is a diplomatic initiative to promote extensive economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region, extending from Southeast Asia to East Asia and Oceania. It is a more comprehensive and proactive successor to the Look East Policy.

ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि

The Look East Policy was launched in 1991 by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, primarily focusing on economic integration with Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN). It was upgraded to the Act East Policy in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broadening its scope to include strategic and security dimensions, and extending its geographical reach to include East Asia and the Pacific.

मुख्य प्रावधान

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.

दृश्य सामग्री

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.

  • 📍India — India: Origin of Act East Policy
  • 📍Singapore — ASEAN Member: Key economic & strategic partner
  • 📍Vietnam — ASEAN Member: Important for maritime security
  • 📍Japan — East Asia: Key strategic partner (Quad member)
  • 📍Australia — Oceania: Key strategic partner (Quad member)
  • 📍New Zealand — Oceania: Expanding engagement under Act East
  • 📍Myanmar — 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

हालिया विकास

5 विकास

Increased 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.

स्रोत विषय

Decoding India-New Zealand FTA: Opportunities and Challenges for Bilateral Trade

Economy

UPSC महत्व

Very important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations). Frequently asked in Prelims (objectives, key initiatives, member countries, evolution) and Mains (significance, challenges, impact on India's foreign policy and economy, comparison with Look East Policy).

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.

Geographic Context

Map Type: world

📍 Key Regions:
Southeast AsiaEast AsiaOceania
Legend:
India
ASEAN Countries (Core of Policy)
East Asia & Major Oceania Partners (Strategic)
New Zealand (Expanding Engagement)
Connectivity Projects

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.

1992

India's 'Look East Policy' launched by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao

2010

India-ASEAN FTA on Goods comes into effect

2014

India's 'Act East Policy' launched by PM Narendra Modi

2017

Revival of Quad Dialogue (India, US, Japan, Australia)

2018

India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit: Delhi Declaration

2021

First Leaders' Summit of Quad (virtual)

2022

India-ASEAN relations elevated to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'

2023-2025

Continued focus on maritime security, connectivity projects (e.g., Trilateral Highway), and FTA negotiations (e.g., with New Zealand) under Act East

Connected to current news