2016 · GS Paper 2 · Q18 · 12 marks
Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.
In short
India's Look East Policy, launched after the Cold War and the 1991 crisis, succeeded more strategically than economically, making India central to ASEAN-led forums while trade deficits and stalled corridors limited gains. India-ASEAN trade reached about USD 121 billion in 2023-24, yet the deficit kept India out of RCEP.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 291 words
Integration
India rose from ASEAN sectoral partner (1992) to full dialogue partner (1995), and then to the ASEAN-India FTA in goods (2010) and in services and investment (2015).
Trade growth
India-ASEAN trade reached about USD 121 billion in 2023-24 (Commerce Ministry), and Singapore became a leading source of FDI.
Deficit and delays
A widening trade deficit kept India out of RCEP (2019) and led to a review of the goods FTA, while the Trilateral Highway and Kaladan project lag, leaving the Northeast short of gains.
Wider canvas
The second phase extended the policy from trade to security and from ASEAN to Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Balancing China
ONGC Videsh's exploration with Vietnam and the India-Japan civil nuclear deal (2016) helped build a multipolar Asia rather than a China-centred one.
Maritime role
SIMBEX with Singapore and Malabar with Japan made India a credible Indo-Pacific security partner.
Slow delivery
Caution and implementation gaps led to its 2014 relaunch as Act East.
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