Look East Policy | Act East Policy | Look West Policy | Know All Details in 14 minutes [Hindi]

Summary

The video provides an in-depth overview of India's foreign policies, particularly focusing on the Look East, Act East, and Look West strategies. It explains the historical context, objectives, and key achievements of the Look East policy initiated in the 1990s, followed by the Act East policy launched in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The video also covers India's growing relationships with Southeast Asian and West Asian nations, emphasizing trade, defense cooperation, and regional infrastructure projects. It highlights significant milestones like free trade agreements, counter-terrorism initiatives, and enhanced diplomatic ties with Gulf nations.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Look East Policy (1990)** was launched by PV Narasimha Rao to strengthen economic ties with Southeast Asia, especially after the collapse of the USSR.
• 😀 **Act East Policy (2014)**, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expanded India's focus to include strategic and security cooperation with East Asian nations, alongside economic relations.
• 😀 India’s relations with ASEAN have grown significantly, with milestones like India becoming a sectoral partner in 1992, dialogue partner in 1996, and a summit-level partner in 2002.
• 😀 Key agreements under the Act East Policy include the **Free Trade Agreements** (goods in 2010, services in 2014) and **TACCS Treaty** with ASEAN countries to promote peace and cooperation.
• 😀 India has focused on infrastructure projects like the **Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project** connecting India with Myanmar, and the **India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway**.
• 😀 The **Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (2000)**, which involves six countries including India, promotes cultural, educational, tourism, and transport cooperation but has faced challenges due to irregular meetings.
• 😀 India has also strengthened ties with countries in the **Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)**, supporting its relationship with Southeast Asia and complementing ASEAN cooperation.
• 😀 The **Look West Policy (2005)** focuses on strengthening ties with the Gulf and West Asian countries, crucial for economic reasons such as oil imports and remittances from Indian workers in the region.
• 😀 The Gulf countries were historically pro-Pakistan, but recent shifts in their economic focus and diplomatic relations have allowed India to re-engage with them, especially through investments and strategic partnerships.
• 😀 India’s engagement with West Asia has improved with milestones like Prime Minister Modi’s visits to the region, including Israel in 2017, and receiving the **Order of Zayed** from UAE in 2019.
• 😀 The **Chabahar Port** development in Iran and strategic investments like **Saudi Aramco** and **ENOC** investing in India’s refining infrastructure mark a significant step forward in India’s **Look West Policy**.

Q & A

What is the 'Look East Policy' and when was it launched?

The 'Look East Policy' was launched in 1990 by India's Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao. Its primary aim was to improve India's economic and strategic ties with East and Southeast Asian countries, especially after the dissolution of the USSR.

What are the main objectives of the 'Look East Policy'?

The main objectives of the 'Look East Policy' were to enhance India's economic relations with the growing economies of East and Southeast Asia, to counter China's influence in the region, and to establish stronger diplomatic and strategic ties.

What is the significance of the 'Act East Policy' introduced by Narendra Modi?

Launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 'Act East Policy' focuses on strengthening economic, cultural, and strategic ties with East Asian countries, while also integrating India's North East region into the broader policy framework. It extends beyond economic cooperation to include defense and security cooperation.

How did India's relationship with ASEAN evolve under the Look East Policy?

India's relationship with ASEAN developed significantly under the 'Look East Policy'. India became a sectoral partner in ASEAN in 1992, a dialogue partner in 1996, and a summit-level partner in 2002. Key milestones include India's signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2003, and free trade agreements in goods and services with ASEAN in the following years.

What is the 'Mekong-Ganga Cooperation' and why has it been less successful?

The 'Mekong-Ganga Cooperation' was established in 2000 to enhance cooperation between India and five ASEAN nations (Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam) on cultural, educational, tourism, and transportation issues. However, it has been less successful due to infrequent meetings and lack of sustained momentum.

What are the key differences between the 'Look East Policy' and 'Act East Policy'?

The 'Look East Policy' (1990) primarily focused on economic cooperation with Southeast Asia, while the 'Act East Policy' (2014) encompasses broader aspects, including defense cooperation and strengthening relations with countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The 'Act East Policy' also gives more attention to India's North East region.

What was the focus of the 'Look West Policy' launched in 2005?

The 'Look West Policy', launched in 2005, aimed to strengthen India's relations with Gulf countries, Iran, and Israel. The policy was initially less successful but focused on enhancing trade, energy security, and strategic partnerships with these nations.

Why is the Middle East region important for India under the 'Look West Policy'?

The Middle East is crucial for India because it supplies about 60% of India's oil and is home to millions of Indian workers. Additionally, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are among India's largest trading partners. Strong relations with this region are vital for India's energy security and economic growth.

How did India's relationship with Gulf countries evolve after 2005?

India's relations with Gulf countries have improved significantly since 2005, with growing trade, energy partnerships, and strategic collaborations. Key achievements include visits by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region, and the signing of various agreements to enhance trade and security cooperation.

What was the significance of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel in 2017 for India's foreign policy?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel in 2017 was a landmark event in India's foreign policy, as it was the first visit by an Indian PM to Israel. It marked a shift towards closer ties, particularly in areas like defense, technology, and agriculture, while also reflecting India's evolving stance on the Middle East.