New Delhi Must Look East Again as Global Relations Change Shape

Paper: GS-II, Subject: International Relations, Subject: India’s foreign policy, Issue: India’s Look East Policy.

Context:

With the US abandoning its traditional East Asia playbook, new opportunities and challenges emerge for India. ASEAN and East Asian capitals are reassessing relations amidst China’s rise and changing global power equations.

Historical Background:

• 1991 Parallel: Current geopolitical moment compared to 1991 when India undertook reforms and adopted the Look East Policy.
• India’s strategy: India has increased engagement with Southeast Asia since the 1990s, but distance remains due to differing objectives.
• Changed approach: India often views the region through a geopolitical lens of balancing China, while ASEAN focuses more on economic integration and stability.

Emerging Opportunities:

Challenges

• India’s engagement often perceived as inconsistent and lacking follow-through.
• ASEAN states remain cautious about India’s security role due to reluctance in deepening defence partnerships.
• Domestic challenges (economic reforms, inward-looking policies) may constrain India’s external outreach.

Strategic Imperatives for India:

Conclusion: Staying out of East Asian economic bloc risks strategic isolation. Failure to expand engagement may push ASEAN further towards China. Without proactive steps, India may lose influence in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/look-east-india-asean-relations-economic-reforms-2025-china-rivalry-southeast-asia-strategy-quadrilateral-dialogue-rcep-11755871882757.html

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