INDIA’S FOREIGEN POLICY: A TRANSFORMATION FROM ‘LOOK EAST’ TO ‘ACT EAST’ POLICY

Abstract

India’s look east policy it did not start in 1990 but it is existed long before India’s relation with eastern neighboring countries since the 12th and 13th century, this is the first phase and second phase when the British comes in India, they give strong strategic dimension by the British empire in India, during the second phase when India become independent, Nehru did the third phase by focusing on east Asia as an important part of India’s policy for Asian region. Nehru's vision of closer ties with the east was shaped by the strength of India’s geopolitical proximity of historical experiences. Cultural identity, economic interest, and common strategic concerns in relation to the countries of the east. The vast stretch of Indian ocean and its economic strategic significance in links with eastern neighbors was not lost on Nehru and his associates since 1992, India started giving importance to South and South East Asian Countries in order to expand its trading activities. These countries have been considered as important trading destinations besides the U.K. and other European countries. The Government of India has started taking serious steps towards promoting Look East Policy. India has developed various bilateral and multilateral trade relations with these countries. The bilateral trade relations Indo-china, Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Sri Lanka and multilateral trade relations with India and South East Asian countries through BCIM, BIMSTEC, SAFTA, ASEAN and ASEAN Regional Forum are significant. Geographically these South East Asian countries are connected continentally with the North Eastern States with maximum of their borders sharing with these countries. In order to take the maximum advantage of India’s Look East Policy, there is a need to bring all round development of these North Eastern States.