India's Economic Linkages with South-East Asia: The Growing Role of State Governments

What is currently referred to as India’s Act East Policy was launched in the early 90s as the Look East Policy alongside the New Economic Policy of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG).

- Dr. Amlan Ray and Tridivesh Singh Maini

The origins of the Look East Policy -- which seeks to strengthen ties between India and East and South-East Asia -- are often traced to a lecture made -- during a visit to Singapore in September 1994 -- by then PM late PV Narasimha Rao. ASEAN countries along with Japan had begun to show great interest in India after the introduction of economic reforms.

Over the past three decades, ties between ASEAN and India have become truly multifaceted. India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1996 and thena Summit Level Partner. This was further elevated into a strategiclevel partnership in 2012. India and ASEAN celebrated the completion of 30 years of relationship in 2022 and the year was designated as ASEAN – India friendship year.

It would be pertinent to point out here that India’s state governments are playing an increasingly important role in the country’s economic ties with ASEAN.

While India’s initial focus in the ASEAN region was Singapore, in recent years ties with other ASEAN nations have also strengthened significantly. The ASEAN- India Biztech conference in Kuala Lumpur, the Trade Expo in Bangkok and the ICT expo in Jakarta are a strong reiteration of the growth of economic ties between India and ASEAN.

In 2024, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi visited Brunei. This was the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei Darussalam.

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