What is the Look East Policy?

India's Look East Policy (LEP) was a strategic foreign policy shift initiated in 1991 by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Launched in the context of India's economic liberalisation and the end of the Cold War, the policy aimed to develop political contacts, economic integration, and security cooperation with Southeast Asian nations — a region India had largely neglected during the Cold War decades.

The policy evolved in two distinct phases. Phase I (1991-2003) focused on building trade and investment linkages with ASEAN countries, culminating in India becoming a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992, a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996, and a Summit-level Partner in 2002. Phase II (2003 onwards) expanded the geographic scope beyond ASEAN to East Asia (Japan, South Korea, China) and Australia, and broadened the agenda from trade to strategic and security cooperation, physical connectivity, and cultural exchanges.

In 2014, the Look East Policy was upgraded to the Act East Policy by Prime Minister Modi, marking the transition from diplomatic engagement to project-based action.

Key Features

# Feature Details
1 Launched 1991 by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao
2 Context Post-Cold War realignment + India's economic liberalisation
3 Phase I (1991-2003) Trade and investment focus with ASEAN
4 Phase II (2003+) Extended to East Asia + Australia; added security, connectivity
5 ASEAN Milestones Sectoral Dialogue Partner (1992), ARF member (1996), Summit Partner (2002)
6 India-ASEAN FTA ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement signed 2009, in force 2010
7 Successor Act East Policy (2014) — project-based, outcome-driven
8 Northeast India Recognised as gateway to Southeast Asia in Phase II

Current Status / Latest Developments

  • The Look East Policy is no longer the active framework — it was superseded by the Act East Policy in 2014.
  • However, its foundational achievements remain operative: India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (upgraded 2022), annual summits, and the ASEAN-India FTA.
  • India's trade with ASEAN has grown from negligible levels in 1991 to over USD 130 billion (FY 2023-24).
  • India is now a member of all ASEAN-led frameworks: ARF, EAS, ADMM+, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations (India withdrew in 2019).
  • The policy legacy is visible in India's Trilateral Highway, Kaladan project, and NE India development programs.

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Launched: 1991, PM P.V. Narasimha Rao
  • Phase I: 1991-2003 (ASEAN focus, trade links)
  • Phase II: 2003 onwards (East Asia, security, connectivity)
  • ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner: 1992
  • ASEAN Summit Partner: 2002
  • Succeeded by: Act East Policy, 2014
  • India-ASEAN FTA: Signed 2009, effective 2010

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "Trace the evolution of India's engagement with Southeast Asia from the Look East Policy to the Act East Policy."
  2. "How did the end of the Cold War reshape India's foreign policy orientation towards East Asia?"
  3. "Critically evaluate the economic outcomes of India's Look East Policy."
  4. "Examine the role of Northeast India as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia."

Sources: Wikipedia — Act East Policy (LEP history) | Byjus — Look East Policy | SAGE Journals — India's Look East Policy