RIGHT after the end of the Cold War, then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao presciently outlined India's 'Look East' policy. It was aimed at addressing our neglect of Southeast Asia despite multi-layered cultural connections. It was expected that looking eastwards would accrue multidimensional benefits to India in trade, development and strategic ties.
The desire to replicate the economic miracle that some ASEAN and East Asian countries had gone through was also in the larger gameplan. To facilitate that, India subsequently reduced much of its trade barriers. Government data suggests that Look East also contributed in enhancing the number of inbound tourists from Southeast Asia.
Post 2014, the policy was taken to a different level with renewed emphasis and a new name-Act East. The emphasis was not just on action, but also on the centrality of Northeast India in this policy. Taking ahead the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had established the department for the development of the Northeast region, the Narendra Modi government envisioned closer cooperation between India's oil-rich and tea-growing Northeast and Southeast Asia.
Addressing the East Asia summit at Myanmar's Naypyidaw in 2014, Modi said, "Commerce, culture and connectivity-these three Cs are the pillars of India's current Act East policy."
Since then, the policy has achieved remarkable success in both evolving and implementing fresh policy approaches. While the Look East policy focused solely on the ASEAN, Act East expanded the strategic scope, emphasising the broader Indo-Pacific region with ASEAN at its core. It resulted in stronger multilateral and regional engagements through closer partnerships with Bimstec, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, too.
Bu hikaye The New Indian Express Tirupati dergisinin January 16, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The New Indian Express Tirupati dergisinin January 16, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
EU calls Belarus election sham, threatens sanctions
THE European Union rejected the election in Belarus on Sunday as illegitimate and threatened new sanctions.
Crossing Over From Darkness To The Light
The biggest snan or holy dip at the ongoing Mahakumbh is on January 29, on Mauni Amavasya.
Mbappe treble extends Real's La Liga lead
KYLIAN Mbappe continued his rich vein of form with a hat-trick on Saturday to power Real Madrid to a 3-0 win over Valladolid and a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
AP's Etikoppaka tableau steals the show
The tableau underwent six rigorous selection stages before gracing the Republic Day parade in New Delhi
Prosecutors Indict Impeached Prez Yoon
SOUTH Korean prosecutors on Sunday indicted impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on rebellion in connection with his short-lived imposition of martial law, a criminal charge that could incur the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted.
AP Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce Launched
The Andhra Pradesh Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (APTFCC) was officially launched in Kurnool on Sunday, marking a significant move to foster the growth of the Telugu film industry in the State.
NMC launches pothole-free road project with ₹2.12 crore for safer commuting
THE Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) has launched a pothole-free road initiative, repairing 945 potholes across the city at a cost of ₹2.12 crore to ensure smoother and safer commuting for residents and visitors.
Why H-1B Visa Matters to Students, Workers
As Indians are the biggest beneficiaries of H-1B visas, the new rules will help enhance flexibility for employees
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as Bollywood complements diplomacy at Prez's dinner
INDONESIAN President Prabowo Subianto, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, was at his humorous best when he declared his love for Indian film music during the state banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday night.
How To Use Your Emergency Fund?
UBRA has ₹1 lakh of emergency fund. Should Subra use that money to invest in ELSS to save some income tax?