Culture and connectivity

Abstract

India and Southeast Asia or Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties, but regardless of it, India’s integration with the region in terms of connectivity—physical, maritime, air and people-to-people—is still not dynamic. The inconsequential infrastructural development is the main reason. Hence, the Look East Policy (LEP) from 1992 and Act East Policy (AEP) of India since 2014 focused on enhancing connectivity along with cultural ties—2Cs—apart from commerce as key areas of cooperation with ASEAN. In view of growing trade between India and ASEAN countries, it is significant to have better connectivity through increased maritime and flight count with direct air connectivity. There are many bilateral and multilateral arrangements and initiatives in the past two decades in order to address the connectivity between India and ASEAN but people-to-people connectivity through tourism and education is one of the areas that need immediate attention. The chapter examines the salience of 2Cs—Culture and Connectivity—in the India and ASEAN partnership and assess the contemporary status of India’s linkages and connectivity and the scope for betterment.