Syllabus: GS-II & V: International Relations

Why in the News?

• Tezpur University recently hosted a Distinguished Lecture on “India’s Strategic Outreach: Understanding the Act East Policy.”

• Delivered by Ambassador Suchitra Durai (former Indian Ambassador to Thailand and High Commissioner to Kenya).

• The event underlined the growing importance of the Act East Policy (AEP) and its role in making the Northeast Region (NER) a hub of connectivity and development.

Key Highlights of the Lecture

• Act East Policy as a Core Pillar: Since 2014, the AEP has been a central pillar of India’s foreign policy, focusing on trade, strategy, security, and connectivity with Southeast and East Asia.

• Four C’s of Diplomacy:

  • Culture – civilisational links

  • Commerce – trade and investment

  • Connectivity – road, rail, water, digital

  • Capacity Building – skills and institutions

• Northeast as Gateway: NER is the natural gateway to Southeast Asia. Projects like Kaladan Multimodal Project and India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway will transform it into a hub of trade, culture, and development.

• Regional Dynamics: While China’s BRI expands influence in Southeast Asia, India’s approach is based on civilizational ties, democratic values, and developmental partnerships.

What is the Act East Policy?

• Launched in 2014, upgrading the Look East Policy (1991).

• Aims to build economic, cultural, strategic, and connectivity ties with ASEAN and East Asia.

• Strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific role and counters China’s BRI.

Factoring Northeast in Act East Policy

• Geographically isolated, linked to India only via Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck).

• Shares 5,300 km of international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China.

• Cultural and ethnic ties with Southeast Asia make NER the natural gateway for India’s outreach.

Present Scenario

• Projects like Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project are underway.

• Act East Policy Centre in Shillong coordinates regional initiatives.

• Guwahati and Imphal emerging as education and healthcare hubs for Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

• Challenges: insurgency, illegal migration, and Centre–state trust deficit hinder integration.

Benefits of Act East Policy for the Northeast

1. Transport Connectivity

• BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement (2015) eases road transport.

• Access to Bangladeshi ports (Chittagong, Ashuganj) cuts distance to Kolkata by half.

• Kaladan Project, Trilateral Highway, Reh–Tedim Road boost Myanmar links.

2. Digital Connectivity

• Tripura–Cox’s Bazar internet link.

• SEA-ME-WE 5 submarine cable system enhances digital access.

3. Power Connectivity

• NE has 40% of India’s hydropower potential.

• Integration into BBIN Power Grid boosts energy trade.

4. Trade and Investment

• Duty-free access for Bangladeshi products boosts trade.

• NE agriculture supports Bangladesh’s food processing industry.

• Handicrafts/horticulture exports from Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland to Myanmar.

• SEZs, food parks, and cement plants planned.

5. Education & Health Hub

• Guwahati and Imphal: affordable healthcare for neighbouring countries.

• NE emerging as destination for foreign students.

6. Infrastructure Development

• Food parks, border towns, and trade hubs being set up.

• Mizoram–Myanmar horticulture collaboration (Kaladan Project).

• Manipur export hubs near Moreh.

Benefits of Northeast in Act East Policy

• Strategic Location: Gateway with land & river routes to ASEAN.

• Connectivity Advantage: Highways, multimodal projects, ports.

• Economic Growth: Agro-industry, handicrafts, eco-tourism, Buddhist circuits.

• Energy Hub: Hydropower exports via BBIN.

• Digital & Knowledge Links: Cables, universities, healthcare.

• Cultural Diplomacy: Shared heritage & Buddhist ties.

• Security Role: Development reduces insurgency, strengthens Indo-Pacific presence.

Challenges in Integrating Northeast with Act East

• Trust Deficit: Centre–Northeast and with neighbours.

• Security Issues: Insurgency, drug trafficking, militancy.

• Infrastructure Gaps: Roads, railways, banking.

• Awareness Gap: Limited local access to AEP opportunities.

• Conflict of Interests: Local aspirations vs national strategy.

Steps Taken by the Government

1. Assam’s Act East Policy Department

• Implements AEP, promotes investment and industrialization.

2. Major Connectivity Initiatives

• NH-153 (Stillwell Road): Links NER–Kunming via Myanmar.

• ASEAN Highway (Asian Highway No.1): Imphal–Moreh to SEA.

• NH-127(C), NH-127(D): Links to Bhutan.

• NH-37, NH-40, NH-44, NH-151, NH-51: Assam–Bangladesh.

• NH-52 & Trans-Arunachal Highway: Assam–Arunachal, potential China link.

3. Rail & River Links

• Gauge conversion (Lumding–Badarpur, Murkongselek).

• River ports: Guwahati, Silghat, Jorhat, Dibrugarh on Brahmaputra.

4. Institutional Measures

• Act East Policy Centre in Shillong.

• Expansion of border haats, integrated check-posts.

• Promotion of Buddhist circuit tourism & cultural ties.

Way Forward

• Accelerate Trilateral Highway & Kaladan Project.

• Strengthen border infrastructure: ICPs, logistics hubs.

• Inclusive local development.

• Promote eco-tourism, renewable energy, sustainable trade.

• Build trust via cultural diplomacy & student exchanges.

• Tackle illegal migration & insurgency with strong policies.

Conclusion

The Northeast is the pivot of India’s Act East Policy, acting as a bridge to ASEAN.
By addressing challenges of connectivity, security, and migration, the region can emerge as a hub of trade, culture, and diplomacy.
Strengthening the Northeast under AEP is not just foreign policy—it’s about turning the region into India’s growth engine for the future.

Mains Question

Q. “The Northeast Region is not just a periphery but the pivot of India’s Act East Policy.” Discuss the strategic, economic, and cultural significance of the Northeast in the context of India’s engagement with ASEAN and East Asia.
(15 marks / 250 words)