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Home / IAS Preparation / Look East Policy

Understanding the Look East Policy: A Comprehensive Insight

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Introduction: An Overview of the Look East Policy

In an era of evolving geopolitics and dynamic international relationships, the Look East Policy stands as an innovative and strategic doctrine developed by India. This policy, initiated in the early 1990s, has shaped and amplified India's relationships with its eastern neighbors, paving the path for enriched cooperation, development, and mutual growth.

Introduced under the aegis of then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, the Look East Policy aimed at fostering economic and strategic relationships with the Southeast Asian nations. These ties, earlier clouded by the vestiges of the Cold War, found a new and promising direction under this innovative policy.

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What is the Look East Policy: Breaking Down the Concept

The term 'Look East Policy' may seem straightforward at the face of it, but it carries profound geopolitical connotations. It signifies India's dedicated attempt to foster stronger relationships with countries in its eastern vicinity, primarily the Southeast Asian and East Asian nations.

So, what is Look East Policy in essence?

  • It's a foreign policy orientation, placing India as a pivotal player in the evolving Asian economic and strategic landscape.
  • A conscious shift from the erstwhile 'Westward-leaning' approach, making Asia the new locus of attention.
  • A comprehensive economic strategy, seeking trade expansion, investments, and enhanced regional integration.
  • An approach to promote Indian cultural influence, projecting soft power and earning goodwill.

When and Why did India Adopt Look East Policy

The Look East Policy was adopted by India in 1991, during a period when the country was embarking on a journey of economic liberalization. The objective behind this adoption was twofold. Firstly, to integrate the Indian economy with those of the fast-growing Southeast Asian countries, thus reaping mutual benefits of economic cooperation. Secondly, it aimed at breaking free from the Western-centered foreign policy, thereby diversifying India's international relationships and promoting its strategic interests in the Asian region.

Prime Ministers and the Look East Policy

The Look East Policy, though initiated by P.V. Narasimha Rao, has been developed and diversified by subsequent Prime Ministers, each adding a unique dimension to it.

P.V. Narasimha Rao

Rao, with Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, initiated the [Look East Policy Prime Minister] in 1991 as part of their wider economic liberalization agenda. His tenure saw the establishment of strong economic ties with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Vajpayee pushed the policy further by extending it to include countries beyond ASEAN, like South Korea and Japan. The strategic aspect of the policy was also emphasized during his term.

Manmohan Singh

Under Singh's stewardship, India signed several free trade agreements with ASEAN, South Korea, and Japan. His approach was more strategic, with defense and security cooperation forming an integral part of the Look East Policy.

Narendra Modi: The Act East Policy

Modi, upon assuming office in 2014, revamped and reenergized the Look East Policy, rechristening it as the Act East Policy. This policy marked an aggressive pursuit of strategic and economic interests in the Southeast and East Asian regions. It extended the policy's geographical coverage to include the Pacific Islands and Australia, indicating India's aspiration for a broader footprint in the Indo-Pacific region.

Importance of Look East Policy

The Look East Policy holds immense importance for India from both an economic and strategic perspective. Economically, it has been instrumental in expanding India's trade horizons and attracting foreign investment. It has also played a significant role in technology transfer and skills development.

Strategically, it has allowed India to counterbalance China's influence in the region and forge stronger relations with ASEAN and other East Asian countries. Furthermore, it has facilitated India's participation in regional forums, thus ensuring a voice in the shaping of regional policies.

Comparison Between India’s Look East Policy and Act East Policy

A deeper understanding of the Look East Policy and Act East Policy reveals significant differences between the two. While they share the same foundational objective of strengthening India's ties with its eastern neighbors, the nature, focus, and intensity of the relationship-building process have evolved from the Look East to the Act East policy. Here's a comparative analysis:

Aspect

Look East Policy

Act East Policy

Focus

Primarily on Southeast Asia, mainly ASEAN

Extended to include East Asia and the Pacific Islands

Key Emphasis

Economic cooperation

Balanced focus on economic, cultural, and strategic interests

Strategy

More defensive and cautious

More proactive and assertive

Engagement

Mostly bilateral

Increased emphasis on multilateral and regional engagements

Major Facts About Look East Policy

The Look East Policy has numerous dimensions, resulting in several key facts worth noting:

  • The policy has led to a sevenfold increase in India's trade with ASEAN countries since its initiation.
  • It has expanded India's diplomatic footprint in the region with new embassies and consulates.
  • The policy paved the way for India's entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.
  • It is under the Look East Policy that India signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN, South Korea, and Japan.
  • The policy has been instrumental in initiating numerous connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.

The Relevance of the Look East Policy for UPSC Aspirants

For UPSC aspirants, understanding the Look East Policy and its evolution into the Act East Policy is crucial. It directly aligns with the syllabus under International Relations, an integral part of the General Studies Paper II in the Mains Examination.

Furthermore, the policy's relevance goes beyond just one paper. It covers important aspects of India's economic development, foreign policy orientation, and strategic interests in the neighborhood. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the Look East Policy becomes an asset in essay writing, ethics case studies, and even during the personality test (Interview).

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FAQs

The Look East Policy was introduced to shift India's focus towards its eastern neighbors, foster strong economic ties, and counterbalance China's influence.

The Look East Policy evolved from a focus on economic cooperation to include strategic and defense elements. The Act East Policy, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further expanded this approach to be more aggressive and include a wider geographical area.

The Act East Policy is a more aggressive and proactive version of the Look East Policy. It expands the geographical focus to include East Asia and the Pacific Islands, and broadens the range of interests to include security, strategic, economic, cultural, and developmental aspects.

The Look East Policy has significantly increased India's trade with East and Southeast Asian nations, established several strategic partnerships, increased cultural exchanges, and strengthened regional integration. It has also expanded India's role and influence in the region.

The Look East Policy is a critical topic under International Relations in the UPSC syllabus. It also relates to economic development, India's foreign policy, and regional strategy, making it a comprehensive and highly relevant topic for the examination.
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