Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

India’s Act East Policy (AEP) is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. It was formally adopted in 2014 as an upgrade to the Look East Policy, the Act East Policy has become vital to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, especially amid China’s growing assertiveness, strengthening India’s role in regional security and economic ties.

Body

Key Components of India’s AEP:

• Economic and Trade Engagement: The AEP focuses on enhancing economic ties with ASEAN nations through agreements like the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) and India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Japan and South Korea.
  • The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are vital infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity between India and Southeast Asia, which in turn enhance trade and investment flows.
• Security Cooperation: India’s AEP strengthens regional security with a focus on maritime cooperation. Through the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), India deepens ties with countries like Japan, Australia, and the U.S., promoting a rules-based maritime order.
  • It conducts joint military exercises (MALABAR, MILAN-Naval) and supports ASEAN nations in Maritime Domain Awareness and capacity-building via initiatives like Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs).
• Diplomatic Engagement: India’s Act East Policy emphasizes active diplomacy and multilateral engagement through regional forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and APEC.
  • Strategically, India is strengthening partnerships with countries such as Australia, Japan, and South Korea to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Cultural Diplomacy: India promotes people-to-people connections through Initiatives like Yoga Diplomacy and India-ASEAN Cultural Festival and the ASEAN-India Youth Summit, aim to create stronger cultural ties, building long-term relationships based on shared values and understanding.

Strategic Implications of India’s AEP:

• Enhanced Regional Security: India’s AEP serves as a strategic response to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly in the South China Sea. By promoting a rules-based order, India strengthens its leadership position in the Indo-Pacific.
• Indo-Pacific Strategy Convergence: The AEP aligns India’s interests with global frameworks like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), fostering regional cooperation on sustainable development and maritime security.
• Connectivity Initiatives: India’s focus on improving connectivity, particularly by linking its Northeast region with Southeast Asia, opens new avenues for trade and infrastructure development..
• Multilateral Engagements: India’s active participation in multilateral forums like the Quad and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) amplifies its diplomatic influence. By engaging with key regional players, India seeks to promote a rules-based international order, leveraging its strategic location to solidify its leadership role in the Indo-Pacific.
• Economic Opportunities: India’s focus on the Indo-Pacific region has also opened avenues for diversified trade and investment. The policy fosters growth in sectors such as infrastructure, connectivity, and energy, particularly with ASEAN countries.

Conclusion

India’s Act East Policy has become a central pillar of its foreign policy, shaping its engagements with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. By focusing on economic growth, strategic security cooperation, and diplomatic engagement, India aims to enhance its influence and counter the challenges posed by China’s growing assertiveness. As geopolitical dynamics evolve in the Indo-Pacific, the Act East Policy will continue to play a crucial role in India’s quest to assert itself as a regional and global power.