The Look East policy was India's foreign policy strategy initiated in the early 1990s to improve ties with Southeast Asian countries. It focused on trade, investment, and cultural exchanges as India opened its economy.

Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India who announced the Act East policy in 2014. Under his leadership, India has increased high‑level visits and signed multiple agreements with Southeast Asian nations.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. India engages ASEAN through annual summits and trade agreements under the Act East policy.

The East Asia Summit is a regional forum that brings together leaders from East Asia and neighboring countries. India participates in the summit as part of its Act East outreach.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi‑Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization of South and Southeast Asian nations. India uses the Act East policy to promote connectivity and trade within BIMSTEC.

International Relations

Act East policy

India's foreign policy dealing with South-East Asian nations

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Overview

The Act East policy is an effort by the Government of India to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with the nations of Southeast Asia to bolster its standing as a regional power and a counterweight to the strategic influence of the People's Republic of China.

Source: Wikipedia — Act East policy (CC BY-SA)

Key concepts

How Act East policy connects to the ideas, people and events around it.

Look East policy
builds on
The Look East policy was India's foreign policy strategy initiated in the early 1990s to improve ties with Southeast Asian countries. It focused on trade, investment, and cultural exchanges as India opened its economy.
Narendra Modi
announced by
Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India who announced the Act East policy in 2014. Under his leadership, India has increased high‑level visits and signed multiple agreements with Southeast Asian nations.
ASEAN
engages with
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. India engages ASEAN through annual summits and trade agreements under the Act East policy.
India–Japan relations
strengthens
India–Japan relations encompass strategic, economic, and defense cooperation between the two democracies. The Act East policy has deepened this partnership, including joint naval exercises and infrastructure projects.
India–United States relations
aligns with
India–United States relations involve collaboration on security, trade, and technology. The Act East policy aligns with the US Indo‑Pacific strategy, leading to joint initiatives like the Quad.
East Asia Summit
participates in
The East Asia Summit is a regional forum that brings together leaders from East Asia and neighboring countries. India participates in the summit as part of its Act East outreach.
BIMSTEC
promotes within
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi‑Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization of South and Southeast Asian nations. India uses the Act East policy to promote connectivity and trade within BIMSTEC.
Infrastructure projects
supports
Infrastructure projects under the Act East policy include road, rail, and port developments linking India with Southeast Asia. Notable examples are the India‑Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.

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What is Act East policy?

What are the key concepts related to Act East policy?

The main concepts connected to Act East policy include Look East policy, Narendra Modi, ASEAN, India–Japan relations, India–United States relations, East Asia Summit, BIMSTEC, Infrastructure projects. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.

Which exams cover Act East policy?

Act East policy is part of International Relations, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, IBPS PO and 38 more exams.