Act East Policy

Recent Developments

Moreh-Tamu Land Route Opened

• Sixteen years after India, Myanmar, Thailand agreed to build a 1,300-km highway, to bind the three countries together, and bring India closer to ASEAN, two crossings were opened on August, 2018. The aim is to cover 500 km, from Myanmar’s border with India at Moreh, to Mandalay in central Myanmar, the first leg of the ‘Trilateral Highway’.
• Trilateral Highway: This is the ambitious project that seeks to connect India with Myanmar and onwards to Thailand, which India hopes will be its gateway to ASEAN. The first 160 km stretch is called the India-Myanmar Friendship Highway (IMFH).
• Since the 1990s, India has recalibrated its Myanmar policy with the Look East and Act East visions. Trilateral highway is key to entry into the ASEAN region and strengthen the Act East policy of India.

Indonesia: A Close Maritime Neighbour of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid the first official visit to Indonesia on 29-30 May, 2018. His visit to Indonesia was a part of his five-day, three-nation visit to Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia - to boost the Act East Policy and strengthen ties with the ASEAN countries.

Agreements Signed

Maritime Cooperation: India and Indonesia will develop a naval port in Sabang, a strategic location on the tip of Sumatra Island and at the entrance of the vital Malacca Straits. The two countries also agreed to step up defence and maritime cooperation, with both countries agreeing to align their national maritime policies - India’s Indo-Pacific policy with Indonesia’s policy of ‘global maritime fulcrum’.

Free Visa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 30-day free visa for Indonesian citizens and invited the diaspora to travel to their country of origin to experience the ‘New India’.

Bilateral Trade: India and Indonesia agreed to double their efforts to boost bilateral trade to $ 50 billion by 2025.

Signing of Two Major Agreements: India and Indonesia signed two major agreements on defence and space, 13 MoUs on trade, culture, archaeology, etc.

Exercise Komodo

• On May 4, Indonesia officially launched the 2018 iteration of its biennial multilateral naval exercise Komodo (MNEK). The drills, featured participants from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries’ major powers such as China and India. Komodo 2018 was hosted from May 4 to May 9 in Lombok Island and nearby waters with a focus on cooperation to respond to disasters and humanitarian crises.

Strategic Importance of Asia’s Longest Bi-directional Tunnel

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 19 laid the foundation stone for the Rs 6,808.69-crore strategic Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, in Jammu and Kashmir. It spans over 14.15 km, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
• This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past and will help the armed forces for round-the-clock supplies.
• It will provide connectivity to the region besides employment to the local youths.
• The tunnel will cut through mountains, providing a safer and quicker alternative to the Zojila pass.
• It will connect the Kashmiri hill-station Sonmarg to the town of Dras in Kargil. The two lane tunnel will be more than 14 km long.
• When completed, it will be Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel and a veritable marvel of engineering.
• The Zoji La tunnel will likely have an unprecedented impact on the entire region. Currently, the NH1A is one of the only two routes to access the region of Ladakh. The other route makes its way from Manali, Himachal Pradesh straight up north through the Rohtang pass, into Ladakh.

Approaches Evolved for Act East Policy

Multidimensional Approach: Various plans at bilateral and regional levels include steady efforts to develop and strengthen connectivity of Northeast with the ASEAN region through trade, culture, people-to-people contacts and physical infrastructure (road, airport, telecommunication, power, etc.). Some of the major projects include Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project, Rhi-Tiddim Road Project, Border Haats, etc.

Regional Cooperation: The ASEAN-India Plan of Action for the period 2016-20 has been adopted in August 2015 which identifies concrete initiatives and areas of cooperation along the three pillars of political-security, economic and socio-cultural. India continues with stepped up efforts to forge closer partnership with concerned regional and Multilateral Organisations such as ASEAN, ARF, EAS, BIMSTEC, ACD, MCG and IORA.

Cultural Contacts: On the Civilisational front, Buddhist and Hindu links could be energized to develop new contacts and connectivity between people. On Connectivity, special efforts are being made to develop a coherent strategy, particularly for linking ASEAN with our North East. Measures, including building transport infrastructure, encouraging airlines to enhance connectivity in the region, contacts between academic and cultural institutions are underway.

Economic Cooperation: India’s economic engagement with ASEAN has been stepped up – regional integration and implementation of projects are priorities. The ASEAN-India Agreement on Trade in Service and Investments has entered into force for India and seven ASEAN countries from 1 July 2015. The ASEAN-India Trade Negotiating Committee has been tasked to undertake a review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.

Mutual Strategic Interest: On strategic issues, India has increasing convergence on security interests with key partners both in bilateral and multilateral format. Closer cooperation in combating terrorism, collaborating for peace and stability in the region and promotion of maritime security based on international norms and laws are being pursued.

ASEAN -India Rising Bonhomie

• India rolled out a red-carpet welcome to leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to mark 25 years of New Delhi’s ties with the ASEAN bloc, as part of India’s “Act East” policy.
• All 10 heads of states from ASEAN (comprising of Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos and Brunei) were invited as chief guests at India’s 69th Republic Day celebrations.

Background

• India and ASEAN observed 25 years of their Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership throughout 2017 by undertaking a wide range of activities, both in India and through the Missions in ASEAN Member States, which culminated in a Commemorative Summit on the theme “Shared Values, Common Destiny” on 25 January 2018.

Significance for India

• The celebration was preceded by the Delhi Declaration, which (among other things) called for deepened counterterrorism ties between India and ASEAN. The Delhi Declaration underlines specific concerns about cross-border terrorism and freedom of navigation that commits them to an early implementation of various agreed projects, including their Plan of Action 2016-2020.
• The enhanced ties between the two entities follow a convergence of interests on various issues connected to the Asia-Pacific region. These include regional stability, maritime security, prevention of terrorism, increased connectivity via sea, land and air, and amplified trade between the nations involved.

Commemorative Summit

Vientiane, Laos

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Bali, Indonesia

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia