INDIA'S LOOK EAST POLICY PART (2/2)

Alliances and Strategy:-

                   India and A.S.E.A.N.:- A.S.E.A.N. was formed in 1967 between South East nations for cooperation. In 1992 India was given a chance to become a dialogue partner. In a couple of years, India became a full member of A.R.F. (A.S.E.A.N. regional Forum). This provided India a required boost for the policy but India's nuclear testing in 1998 and the growing financial crisis between South-east nations stalled the progress. From 2002 to 2009, India and A.S.E.A.N. negotiated for Free Trade Area and finalized it in 2009 with various low tariffs. India had a trade of almost 85 Billion US dollars, But Trade deficit was almost 15 Billion US dollars. Which marks some of the negative parts of the trade. As the Indian market is more open for A.S.E.A.N. than their's to India.

                India and S.A.A.R.C.:- S.A.A.R.C. was formed in 1985 with the same intention of having strong allies in the neighbor. In S.A.A.R.C. we have countries from not only the east side of India but also from the west side like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and The Maldives. Initially, S.A.A.R.C. nations decided to have relaxations in Visa in member countries. Also, Free Trade Area (S.A.F.T.A.) was discussed but it was unable to make a mark in the GDP of the world as an Association. India invited leaders of S.A.A.R.C. nations for the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi in 2014. Before 2014 world leaders were never invited for the swearing-in ceremony. In the Initial years, progress was really slow which continued afterward also due to constant deteriorating bilateral relations. Most of the members of S.A.A.R.C. have border issues with each other. Constantly changing the ruling government and their constantly changing international policy have hampered the growth as a group. Which became the exact reason why India shifted its focus to B.I.M.S.T.E.C. 

                   India and B.I.M.S.T.E.C.:- B.I.M.S.T.E.C. was formed in 1997 to increase cooperation between the nations along the Bay of Bengal. This time PM Narendra Modi invited B.I.M.S.T.E.C. leaders for the swearing-in ceremony of 2019. Typically, We have Free Trade Area agreement with these countries. Cooperation in Coast shipping, Power grid interconnections are some of the important projects of the associated nations. Most of the members are common with S.A.A.R.C. apart from Myanmar and Thailand. 

                         India and M.G.C.:- M.G.C. was formed in 2000. Being the youngest of all and also having countries with a comparatively smaller economy, progress has been really slow. Various agreements are being discussed and signed. We are yet to have an actual ground report on development due to M.G.C. India, Myanmar, and Thailand have decided to build a road from India to Thailand via Myanmar which is under progress. India is also trying to restart the World war 2 era road named Ledo road to Yunnan (China). 

                        India and Japan:- As China started increasing relations with Pakistan for trying to chock India from both sides. India started building its relations with Japan and Afghanistan. Without any doubt, Japan is the world's most technologically advanced country and has so much to offer to India like Mumbai to Ahmadabad bullet train and Delhi metro project. Japan is also having many problems with China in the South China sea. India-Japan-US started a trilateral Naval exercise named Malabar exercise. Now India is inviting Australia for the Malabar exercise ignoring China's warnings. Making a new shift in regional politics.

                     India and Australia:- As mentioned above apart from the Malabar exercise, India is importing Uranium from Australia. Traditionally, India used to buy Uranium from Canada but to match the huge requirements and simultaneously tackling N.S.G. norms India has managed to sign the deal with Australia. Trade is also growing exponentially from 6.5 Billion Australian dollars in 2003 to 22  Billion Australian Dollars in 2012 and is growing strong.

                  

                 Conclusion:- After the 2014 Look east policy has been changed to Act East Policy. In this policy also India is having the same motto with all the above organizations and countries like cooperation in Tourism, Culture, Education, Technology and transportation, etc. May it be building roads or rail routes through Myanmar or having a Free Trade Area. Getting into A.S.E.A.N. is really important as India can counter China at the bottleneck. But what India is lagging is in the aggressive steps taken in regional politics. Like China took the Gwadar and Hambantota port from Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively, also China is taking away Russia from India as a strategic partner. It's not like India should follow China's debt-trap policy. But India must have firm and decisive steps to counter it and be at a driving position of Regional politics. Though in the last few years India is making its way back into the game. Increasing allies in the east and simultaneously making its Defence forces stronger. Reducing the trade deficit with these nations must be the first task of India. A smaller organization like B.B.I.N. (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) is also working with the same goal. As a developing country, we have many areas yet to be developed in which these smaller but technologically advanced nations can help us to be a better position in world politics.

  

Signing off for the day, See you guys in the next blog.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande