Ten Years of India’s Act East Policy: Strategic, Economic, and Cultural Milestones
Over the past decade, India’s Act East Policy (AEP), launched in 2014, has marked a pivotal shift in India’s engagement with Southeast Asia, expanding upon the earlier Look East Policy to encompass strategic, economic, and cultural dimensions. With an emphasis on ASEAN centrality, defense cooperation, and infrastructure development, AEP has strengthened India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific, making it a key partner for ASEAN nations amid shifting geopolitical landscapes. This milestone reflects India’s commitment to a stable and prosperous Southeast Asia and its proactive role in regional security. Strategic Alignment and Defense Cooperation A defining feature of India’s AEP has been the emphasis on strategic collaboration with ASEAN, aligning India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific with ASEAN’s outlook. India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, unity, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) has resulted in stronger diplomatic ties and deeper security cooperation. India has acti...