ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) is a group of ten important countries of South East Asia. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are the members of ASEAN. After end of cold war between USSR and USA in 1991, India sought relationship with USA and other countries specially countries of Indo Pacific region which are also known as ASEAN countries. That was also the time of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization) reforms. Therefore India announced Look East Policy in 1992 to increase the engagement of India in south east countries. Look East Policy focused on economic development with ASEAN countries. Which was further upgraded to strategic partnership also. In November 2014 India announced ‘Act East Policy’ which was modified version of ‘Look East Policy’. It focuses on economic, strategic cultural and also security strategies with ASEAN as well as other East Asian countries. It is also important as East Asian countries are the gateway to South China sea through which 60 percent trade of whole world is performed. Prime Minister of India defines 4 C’s of ACT East Policy Culture, Commerce, Connectivity and Capacity building.
India is continuously working on all the fields to improve relations with South Asian countries. Recently at virtual summit on Future of India – ASEAN connectivity partnerships, Indian government underlined the importance of cross border connectivity between India and ASEAN
nations. Currently India is working on connectivity through land, water and air with ASEAN countries.
1. India - Myanmar – Thailand Trilateral highways
This provides highway connectivity between the above three countries. It connects Moreh (Manipur) to Mae Sot (Thailand ) via Mandlay, Naypyitaw, Bago in Myanmar. It is 1400 km highway project funded by Asian Development Bank.
2. Kaladan multi model transit project
It connects Kolkata to Sittwe(Myanmar), 539 km through sea then further connects Paletwa(Myanmar), 158 km through Kaladan river then further connects Kaletwa(Myanmar), 129 km through road which further connects to Mizoram. It will improve the connectivity of north eastern states with Kolkata.
3. Mekong-India Economic Corridor (MIEC)
It connects Chennai to Myanmar ,Vietnam, Cambodia , Thailand through sea.
4. BCIM Economic corridor
It is proposed to connect Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. It connects Kolkata and China’s Yunnan province through Mandalay in Myanmar and Dhaka in Bangladesh. All the above projects will strengthen the position of India in Indo-Pacific region as well as it is also used to counter China for its Belt and Road initiative.
