Look East Policy
The Look East Policy (LEP) was a strategic and diplomatic initiative launched by the Government of India in the early 1990s to strengthen economic and political relations with the countries of East Asia and Southeast Asia. Emerging in the context of post-Cold War global realignments and India’s domestic economic liberalisation, the policy marked a shift in India’s foreign policy focus from its traditional emphasis on non-alignment and relations with the West and the Soviet Union towards greater engagement with its Asian neighbours.
Background and Origins
The Look East Policy was formally introduced in 1991 by Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao, following India’s severe balance-of-payments crisis and the initiation of economic reforms. Several factors influenced its adoption:
- Economic Needs: India sought trade, investment, and technology from rapidly growing economies in East and Southeast Asia.
- Regional Dynamics: The rise of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an economic bloc and the success of “Asian Tigers” highlighted opportunities for integration.
- Geopolitical Shifts: The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War required India to diversify its foreign policy alignments.
- Security Considerations: Cooperation with East and Southeast Asian nations was necessary to address challenges such as piracy, terrorism, and maritime security.
Objectives of the Look East Policy
The LEP aimed to achieve the following:
- Economic Integration: Enhance trade, investment, and technological collaboration with ASEAN and East Asian countries.
- Political and Strategic Engagement: Strengthen diplomatic relations and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Connectivity: Improve transport and people-to-people links between India and Southeast Asia.
- Regional Role: Position India as an active player in Asian regional organisations and forums.
Phases of the Look East Policy
The LEP evolved over time, with two distinct phases:
- Phase I (1991–2000s): Focused primarily on economic cooperation with ASEAN, particularly trade and investment. India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and a full dialogue partner in 1996, later joining the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
- Phase II (2000s onwards): Broadened to include strategic and security dimensions. India deepened defence cooperation, maritime partnerships, and engagement with East Asia Summit (EAS) countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Key Initiatives and Achievements
- ASEAN Engagement: Signing of the ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) in 2009.
- Regional Forums: Participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
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Connectivity Projects:
- India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, linking India with Southeast Asia.
- Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, improving access from India’s Northeast to Myanmar and beyond.
- Strategic Partnerships: Strengthened ties with countries such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore through defence and economic cooperation.
Transition to Act East Policy
In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi upgraded the Look East Policy to the Act East Policy (AEP), reflecting a more proactive and strategic approach. The AEP emphasises:
- Greater focus on security, defence, and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
- Deeper economic integration through regional supply chains and infrastructure projects.
- Stronger cultural, educational, and people-to-people ties.
Significance
The Look East Policy was significant in several respects:
- Economic Benefits: Helped India diversify trade partners and attract investment from Asia.
- Strategic Positioning: Positioned India as an integral part of the evolving Asian regional order.
- Northeast Development: Highlighted the role of India’s North Eastern Region as a gateway to ASEAN.
- Foundation for AEP: Created the diplomatic, economic, and strategic groundwork for the subsequent Act East Policy.
Conclusion
The Look East Policy marked a turning point in India’s foreign policy, symbolising a reorientation towards Asia’s dynamic economies and strategic landscape. By laying the foundations for deeper integration with ASEAN and East Asia, it contributed to India’s transformation into an active stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region. Its evolution into the Act East Policy underscores its continued relevance in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
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