What is the Act East Policy?
· The Act East Policy (AEP) is India’s proactive engagement strategy towards Southeast Asia, East Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to deepen India’s economic, strategic, political, cultural and people-to-people relations with countries of the region.
· The policy was formally articulated at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in November 2014 as an evolution of India’s earlier Look East Policy. This is based on the 4’Cs – culture, Commerce, connectivity and Capacity Building.
· It places greater emphasis on action-oriented engagement, connectivity, security cooperation and strategic partnerships, particularly with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific countries.
What is the Look East Policy?
· India’s Look East Policy (LEP) was initiated in 1991 under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao, in the context of India’s economic liberalisation and the changing international environment after the end of the Cold War.
· The policy initially focused on improving India’s economic and commercial relations with Southeast Asian countries, particularly ASEAN. Over time, its scope expanded to include political, strategic and security cooperation.
· The Look East Policy was therefore an important step in India’s effort to reconnect with its eastern neighbourhood and the Asia-Pacific region.
Difference Between Look East Policy and Act East Policy
| Look East Policy | Act East Policy |
| It was launched in 1991. | It was formally articulated in 2014. |
| It initially focused mainly on economic and commercial engagement. | It focuses on economic, strategic, political, security and cultural engagement. |
| Its primary geographical focus was Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific. | Its scope extends to Southeast Asia, East Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific. |
| It emphasised establishing and strengthening relationships. | It places greater emphasis on proactive implementation and delivery of projects. |
| ASEAN was an important economic partner. | ASEAN remains central, while India has expanded strategic engagement with Japan, Australia, South Korea and other Indo-Pacific partners. |
| Connectivity was an emerging component. | Physical, digital, economic and people-to-people connectivity has become a major priority. |
| Security cooperation was relatively limited initially. | Defence and maritime security cooperation have become important components. |
Major Initiatives under the Act East Policy
A. Strengthening ASEAN Relations
o ASEAN occupies a central position in India’s Act East Policy. India seeks to deepen cooperation with ASEAN in areas such as trade, connectivity, maritime security, digital technology, education, culture and capacity building.
o India’s relationship with ASEAN has gradually developed from a sectoral dialogue partnership to a strategic partnership and subsequently to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
B. Connectivity Projects
Connectivity is one of the most important pillars of the Act East Policy because India’s geographical connection with Southeast Asia runs through its Northeastern region.
Agartala-Akhaura Rail link between India and Bangladesh.
The India-Japan Act East Forum, established in 2017, provides a platform for cooperation between India and Japan under India’s Act East Policy and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy. Under this framework, projects related to road and bridge infrastructure and the modernisation of hydroelectric power projects have been undertaken.
India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
o The project seeks to establish road connectivity between India, Myanmar and Thailand, thereby improving India’s physical connectivity with mainland Southeast Asia.
o It is expected to facilitate trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people movement.
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
o The project seeks to connect India’s Northeastern region with Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal through a combination of sea, inland waterway and road connectivity.
o It is strategically important because it provides an alternative connectivity route to India’s Northeast.
Development of Northeast India
o The Act East Policy gives strategic importance to India’s Northeastern Region, which acts as a geographical bridge between India and Southeast Asia.
o Improving roads, railways, waterways, border infrastructure and trade facilities in the Northeast can transform the region into a gateway to Southeast Asia.
o This approach can also promote economic development, employment, tourism and regional integration in the Northeast.
Defence and Maritime Cooperation
o The Act East Policy has acquired an important security dimension because of growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.
o India has expanded defence cooperation with countries such as Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and other regional partners through military exercises, defence dialogues, maritime cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.
Maritime Security
o India promotes a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific and seeks greater cooperation on maritime security, freedom of navigation, disaster management and protection of sea lanes.
· Quad and Indo-Pacific Engagement
o India’s participation in the Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, complements its broader Indo-Pacific engagement.
o The Quad focuses on areas such as maritime security, critical and emerging technologies, health security, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
o This demonstrates that the Act East Policy has gradually acquired a wider Indo-Pacific strategic dimension.
Cultural and People-to-People Connectivity
The policy also seeks to strengthen India’s historical and civilisational links with Southeast and East Asia. India promotes cooperation through:
- Buddhist and civilisational linkages.
- Educational exchanges. (Scholarship offers of 1000 PhD fellowships for ASEAN Countries Participants.)
- Tourism.
- Cultural programmes.
- Academic cooperation.
- Youth exchanges.
- Diaspora connections.
These initiatives strengthen soft power and people-to-people relations.
Economic and Trade Engagement
· Act East seeks to increase India’s economic integration with the rapidly growing economies of Southeast and East Asia.
· The policy promotes greater cooperation in areas such as Trade, Investment, Supply Chains, Digital Economy, Infrastructure and Technology.
· India also seeks to diversify its economic partnerships and become more deeply integrated into regional and global value chains.
Significance of Act East Policy
· The Act East Policy is significant for India because it simultaneously serves economic, strategic and geopolitical objectives.
· It helps India strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific, deepen its relationship with ASEAN, improve connectivity with Southeast Asia and provide greater strategic and economic opportunities for the Northeastern states.
· It also supports India’s broader objective of becoming a more active stakeholder in the emerging Asian order.
Way Forward to strengthen Act East Policy
· Accelerate Connectivity Projects: India should expedite projects such as the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project by addressing delays related to funding, security, land acquisition and coordination. Better connectivity can strengthen India’s economic integration with Southeast Asia.
· Make Northeast India a Gateway to Southeast Asia: India should develop the Northeastern Region as a strategic and economic gateway to ASEAN by improving roads, railways, waterways, border infrastructure, logistics and digital connectivity. This would also help integrate the region into regional value chains.
· Deepen ASEAN-Centric Engagement: India should further strengthen its engagement with ASEAN, particularly in trade, investment, technology, education, healthcare and maritime cooperation, while ensuring that India’s Act East Policy remains genuinely ASEAN-centric.
· Strengthen Economic Integration: India should focus on improving trade facilitation, supply-chain integration, investment flows and participation in regional value chains. Greater economic engagement with Southeast Asia can make the Act East Policy more outcome-oriented.
· Expand Digital and Technological Cooperation: The policy should increasingly focus on digital connectivity, fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and digital public infrastructure to build a modern India–ASEAN economic partnership.
· Strengthen Sub-Regional Cooperation: India should make greater use of platforms such as BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and the ASEAN-India framework to promote connectivity, development and economic integration across the wider eastern neighbourhood.
· Improve Project Implementation: Greater coordination among the Central Government, State Governments, private sector and partner countries is required to overcome implementation delays. Dedicated monitoring mechanisms can ensure that connectivity and infrastructure projects are completed within defined timelines.
· Strengthen People-to-People Relations: India should expand student exchanges, tourism, cultural cooperation, Buddhist linkages, academic partnerships and youth programmes to build long-term societal connections with Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
“India’s Act East Policy should translate its geographical advantage into strategic influence and economic integration, making India an active and reliable partner in the emerging Indo-Pacific order.”
FAQs
1. What is the Act East Policy?
Ans: The Act East Policy is India’s proactive strategy to strengthen economic, strategic, political, cultural and connectivity ties with Southeast Asia, East Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.
2. When was the Act East Policy introduced?
Ans: The policy was formally articulated in 2014 as an evolution of India’s Look East Policy, which was launched in 1991.
3. What is the main difference between Look East and Act East Policy?
Ans: The Look East Policy initially focused mainly on economic engagement, whereas the Act East Policy adopts a more proactive approach covering connectivity, security, defence, strategic partnerships and economic cooperation.
4. What are the major initiatives under the Act East Policy?
Ans: Major initiatives include the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, India-Japan Act East Forum, ASEAN engagement and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
5. Why is the Act East Policy important for India?
Ans: It strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific presence, economic integration with ASEAN, maritime security and connectivity, while positioning the Northeastern Region as a gateway to Southeast Asia.
Ravi Raaz
Hassan Khan
Shadab Ali