– Riya Shakchi
– Intern IPPCS’21
– Student, Lady Shri Ram College for Women
Initiated by P.V. Narasimha Rao & Government in the early 1990s, the Look East Policy aimed to promote and ensure economic and strategic relations of India with the East and the Southeast Asian nations. The disintegration of the erstwhile USSR and the failure of India’s Foreign Policy in South Asia created a vacuum that compelled India to engage with its eastern neighbors.
The pPolicy aimed at securing the position of the regional power through the following dimensions:
- To enhance interaction between India and the South-east Countries on trade and investment, science and technology, tourism, etc.
- To ensure political links and understanding with the South-East Asian Countries through ASEAN. (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
- To strengthen defense links with the neighbors.
The relationship between India and the East was losing its momentum. After coming to power in 2014, the Modi-led Government accorded high priority and attention to the policy. And, today India is not merely ‘looking’ at the East, but also ‘acting’ and ‘engaging’ with the East. The Narendra Modi Government shaped it as the ‘Act East’ Policy, aiming to further enhance and strengthen India’s ties with the ASEAN Nations and the neighboring countries through bilateral talks, cultural ties, and economic relations. The policy has a multidimensional approach and is driven by economic, geopolitical, and security interests. It consists of the 4 C’s: Culture, Commerce, Connectivity, and Capacity Building. As stated by PM Modi, India’s vision for the Region is SAGAR: Security for All and Growth for All.
Currently, India is actively engaged with ASEAN as well as in regional forums such as Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The growing intimacy between India and Southeast Asia is reflected by numerous visits to ASEAN countries by top Indian leaders. It is a more result-oriented step towards building closer relationships with India’s Asia-Pacific partners.
The Act East Policy duly recognizes and emphasizes the strategic importance of North-East India. The North- East Region comprising 7 states (that is, Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura) is connected to the rest of India through a narrow stretch of land, i.e., the Siliguri Corridor.
The Region potentially has rich resources of energy, coal, limestone, natural gas, oil, and other minerals. Along with this, the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries promote the cultivation of cash crops, medicinal herbs, horticultural products, and vegetables. The region also has immense scope for tourism, specifically eco-tourism due to its rare flora and scenic fauna.
The NER shares more than 90% of its borders with southern Tibet, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The geographical proximity of North-East India with the East is assumed to play an instrumental role in bridging the gap between mainland India and Southeast Asia. Thus the strategic importance of the region represents the basic linkages for India to maintain relations with the East. The inclusion of NER in the policy can be seen as a new paradigm, focusing on bringing a potential transformation in addressing the domestic problems of the region.
North-East India is an integral part of the growth process and would benefit from these new developments.
Within the framework of Act East Policy, the main focus of India lies in promoting connectivity links through the North-East states to other ASEAN countries. Apart from economic ties, security, political, and defense collaboration, counter-terrorism has assumed a priority through this policy. The nations are cooperating in the field of science & technology.
The era of globalization paves way for regional cooperation and integration, leading to the development of northeastern states as well as the involved nations.
However, numerous problems and challenges lie ahead on the way of India achieving the status of regional power.
The major and the foremost issue that hinders the progress of the policy is the connectivity strategy of the North-Eastern region. There needs to be a master plan to link all the northeastern states together with an excellent network of roads, rails, and airways. Better connectivity not only leads to improved trade and economic development but also promotes legal trade and props up illegal trade in drugs, arms, and humans.
Most of the proposed corridors pass through ethnically volatile and militant-prone areas. Incorporating NER in the policy is a significant developmental step to the conflict-ridden region.
The ‘Look East-Act East Policy’ proves to be an indispensable proposal and stands out as one of the best-conceived policies by the Indian Government. It has enlarged India’s ties with not only ASEAN countries but also with countries in the Far East such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Herein, important sectors such as technology, nuclear cooperation, defense, and innovation shall be prioritized. Engaging with China is also necessary to expand cooperation on the economic front.
With the Act East Policy, India has attempted to rectify its historic neglect of the Asia-Pacific. As former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh rightfully said, “The Northeastern region is the land of rising Sun for India”, indeed the time has come for the Sun to shine on the NER brightly.
REFERENCES:
- Sharma, Priyotosh. “From Look East to Act East : Opportunities for North-East India with Special Reference to Silchar.” Journal of University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, vol. 23, no. 09, 2021, pp. 40–45. Crossref, doi:10.51201/jusst/21/09511.
- Kalita, Dr. Basanta. “INDIA-ASEAN TRADE OPPORTUNITIES UNDER ACT EAST POLICY AND INDIA’S NORTH EAST.” EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review, 2020, pp. 49–53. Crossref, doi:10.36713/epra3047.
- Rajendram, Danielle. “Lowy Institute.” India’s New Asia-Pacific Strategy: Modi Acts East, Dec. 2014, www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/indias-new-asia-pacific-strategy-modi-acts-east.
- BYJUS. “Act East Policy of India, Launched in 2014 – A Comprehensive Overview.” BYJUS, 22 Mar. 2021, byjus.com/free-ias-prep/act-east-policy.
- “Act East Policy.” Insights Mind Maps, 2016, pp. 1–2, www.insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Act-East-Policy.pdf#:~:text=The%20North%20East%20of%20India%20has%20been%20a,Highway%20Project%2C%20Rhi-Tiddim%20Road%20Project%2C%20Border%20Haats%2C%20etc.
- Ziipao, Raile Rocky. “Look/Act East Policy, Roads and Market Infrastructure in North-East India.” Strategic Analysis, vol. 42, no. 5, 2018, pp. 476–89. Crossref, doi:10.1080/09700161.2018.1523082.
- Boruah, Jayanta. “Look East To Act East Policy and Its Impact on Immigration in Assam.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021. Crossref, doi:10.2139/ssrn.3868365.
- Chetia, Arunav. “Act East Policy: Potential and Implications for Southeast Asia and Beyond.” Academia, 2021, www.academia.edu/39324035/Act_East_Policy_Potential_and_Implications_for_Southeast_Asia_and_Beyond.
- PUBLIC. “India’s Act East Policy: Whither Northeast India?” The Shillong Times, 29 Mar. 2016, theshillongtimes.com/2016/03/29/indias-act-east-policy-whither-northeast-india.
onducted a total of five underground nuclear tests, breaking a 24-year self-imposed moratorium on nuclear testing. Pakistan followed, claiming 5 tests on May 28, 1998, and an additional test on May 30. The unannounced tests created a global storm of criticism, as well as a serious setback for decades of U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts in South Asia. On May 13, 1998, President Clinton imposed economic and military sanctions on India, mandated by Section 102 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), and applied the same sanctions to Pakistan on May 30. Some effects of the sanctions on India included: termination of $21 million in FY1998 economic development assistance; postponement of $1.7 billion in lending by the International Financial Institutions (IFI), as supported by the Group of Eight (G-8) leading industrial nations; prohibition on loans or credit from U.S. banks to the government of India; and termination of Foreign Military Sales under the Arms Export Control Act. Humanitarian assistance, food, or other agricultural commodities are excepted from sanctions under the law. 
The first ministerial level meeting of QUAD was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Before this, the QUAD had
AusIndEx is an exercise between India and Australia which was first held in 2015.The Australian 
On recommendations of the Japanese government, the four countries met at Manila, Philippines for ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) originally, but also ended up having a meeting of what we call the first meeting of four nation states on issues of 
On his official visit to India, Japanese PM Mr. Shinzo Abe reinforced the ties of two nations, i.e., Japan and India with his famous speech about 
In 2007, Japanese President Shinzo Abe resigned from his post citing health reasons. This had a significant impact on QUAD as he was the architect & advocate of QUAD. His successor, Yasuo Fukuda, did not take up QUAD with such zeal leading to dormancy of the forum. (
Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011, also called Great Sendai Earthquake or Great Tōhoku Earthquake, was a 9.0 magnitude earthquake which struck below the floor of the Western Pacific at 2:49 PM. The powerful earthquake affected the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, and also initiated a series of large tsunami waves that devastated coastal areas of Japan, which also led to a major nuclear accident. Japan received aid from India, US, Australia as well as other countries. US Navy aircraft carrier was dispatched to the area and Australia sent search-and-rescue teams. 
India and Australia signed the 
The India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed on 11 November, 2016 and came into force on 20 July, 2017 which was representative of strengthening ties between India and Japan. Diplomatic notes were exchanged between Dr. S. Jaishankar and H.E. Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India. (
The foreign ministry
The Officials of QUAD member countries met in Singapore on November 15, 2018 for consultation on regional & global issues of common interest. The main discussion revolved around connectivity, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, maritime and cyber security, with the view to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the 
The 23rd edition of trilateral Malabar maritime exercise between India, US and Japan took place on 26 September- 04 October, 2019 off the coast of Japan. 
After the first ministerial level meeting of QUAD in September, 2019, the senior officials of US, Japan, India and Australia again met for consultations in Bangkok on the margins of the East Asia Summit. Statements were issued separately by the four countries. Indian Ministry of External Affairs said “In statements issued separately by the four countries, MEA said, “proceeding from the strategic guidance of their Ministers, who met in New York City on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly recently, the officials exchanged views on ongoing and additional practical cooperation in the areas of connectivity and infrastructure development, and security matters, including counterterrorism, cyber and maritime security, with a view to promoting peace, security, stability, prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held on 18 December, 2019, in Washington DC. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper will host Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar and Minister of Defense Shri Rajnath Singh. The discussion focussed on deepening bilateral strategic and defense cooperation, exchanging perspectives on global developments, and our shared leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.The two democracies signed the Industrial Security Annex before the 2+2 Dialogue. Assessments of the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Indian Ocean region in general were shared between both countries. (
The foreign ministers of QUAD continued their discussions from the last ministerial level meeting in 2019, on 6 October, 2020. While there was no joint statement released, all countries issued individual readouts. As per the issue readout by India, the discussion called for a coordinated response to the challenges including financial problems emanating from the pandemic, best practices to combat Covid-19, increasing the resilience of supply chains, and enhancing access to affordable vaccines, medicines and medical equipment. There was also a focus on maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region amidst growing tensions. Australian media release mentions “We emphasised that, especially during a pandemic, it was vital that states work to ease tensions and avoid exacerbating long-standing disputes, work to counter disinformation, and refrain from malicious cyberspace activity. Ministers reiterated that states cannot assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
On September 24, President Biden hosted Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan at the White House for the first-ever in-person Leaders’ Summit of the QUAD. The leaders released a Joint Statement which summarised their dialogue and future course of action. The regional security of the Indo-Pacific and strong confidence in the ASEAN remained on the focus along with response to the Pandemic. 
The QUAD Vaccine Partnership was announced at the first QUAD Summit on 12 March 2021 where QUAD countries agreed to deliver 1.2 billion vaccine doses globally. The aim was to expand and finance vaccine manufacturing and equipping the Indo-Pacific to build resilience against Covid-19. The launch of a senior-level QUAD Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top scientists and officials from all QUAD member governments was also spearheaded. 
Although the Tsunami Core group had to be disbanded on fulfilment of its purpose, however the quadrilateral template that formed remained intact as a successful scaffolding of four countries, as stated by authors Patrick Gerard Buchan and Benjamin Rimland in their diplomatic brief about QUAD ( you can access the brief at 
Secretary of State Colin Powell stated that the Core Tsunami Group was to be disbanded and folded and clubbed with the broader United Nations led Relief Operations. In a Tsunami Relief Conference in Jakarta, Secretary Powell stated that 
Soon after the Earthquake and Tsunami crisis, humanitarian reliefs by countries, viz., US, India, Japan, and Australia started to help the 13 havoc-stricken countries. The US initially promised $ 35 Millions in aid. However, on 29
At 7:59AM local time, an earthquake of 9.1 magnitude (undersea) hit the coast of Sumatra, an Indonesian island. As a result of the same, massive waves of Tsunami triggered by the earthquake wreaked havoc for 7 hours across the Indian Ocean and to the coastal areas as far away as East Africa. The infamous Tsunami killed around 225,000 people, with people reporting the height of waves to be as high as 9 metres, i.e., 30 feet. Indonesia, Srilanka, India, Maldives, Thailand sustained horrendously massive damage, with the death toll exceeding 200,000 in Northern Sumatra’s Ache province alone. A great many people, i.e., around tens of thousands were found dead or missing in Srilanka and India, mostly from Andaman and Nicobar Islands of Indian territory. Maldives, being a low-lying country, also reported casualties in hundreds and more, with several non-Asian tourists reported dead or missing who were vacationing. Lack of food, water, medicines burgeoned the numbers of casualties, with the relief workers finding it difficult to reach the remotest areas where roads were destroyed or civil war raged. Long-term environmental damage ensued too, as both natural and man-made resources got demolished and diminished.
No responses yet