Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's three-nation tour of East Asia was much more than a sum of its parts. Since the 1990s, when India was looking to build new alliances in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, ‘Look East' has been a mantra with successive governments in New Delhi. But India's economic, political, and strategic relationship with the region was slower to develop than with the United States or Europe. The economic setback the Asian Tigers suffered in the closing years of the 20th century slowed it down further. The last few years have seen Delhi hastening to inject more purpose to its engagement with the East Asian countries. That India is now a major economic power has made this equally meaningful for the countries in the region. The India-ASEAN free trade agreement signed in 2009, awaiting implementation, is limited to goods and excludes services and investment but with a combined market of 1.8 billion people, it holds major potential for both sides. Prime Minister Singh's visit was intended to strengthen relations with ASEAN and the ASEAN-driven East Asia Summit and also to firm up bilateral relations in the region. Aside from marking the conclusion of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, the visit clinched a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Malaysia, scheduled to be signed into effect in January 2011. New Delhi is confident that similar agreements with Thailand and Indonesia will follow. The announcement of visa-on-arrival facility for nationals of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Philippines signals that New Delhi is not snobbishly restricting relations to the more prosperous countries in the region.
Another positive outcome of the visit was the meeting between Prime Minister Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Considering that some have seen India's energetic diplomacy in East Asia as a gambit to counter China's influence in the region, it was particularly relevant that Premier Wen recalled an earlier statement by the Indian Prime Minister that there is enough space in the world for both countries to realise their development aspirations, and added that there was enough space also for China and India to have cooperation in all areas. The meeting between the two leaders has set the stage for the two countries to work at addressing a trust gap that has developed in recent months. The timing of the East Asia tour, a few days before the arrival of President Barack Obama in India, was coincidental, but it has served to remind the people of India that East and West are equally crucial to the country's external relations. New Delhi can take satisfaction from a week well spent.
Keywords: Look East policy, Manmohan's East Asia visit
I agree with the article and would like to add, that focus on the East would be more important to India relative to the West. Although, a big chunk of our fiscal inflows comes from selling to the West, our balance and security lies with our neighbours. If we can increase our diplomacy efforts in the East and create strong allies, its half the battle won in maintaining regional balance especially with China.
Looking East is "SURYA NAMASKAR". The article really lacks specificity. East is dominated by highly developed industrial economies, Japan, Malaysia, Aaustralia who are looking at India as market and unwilling to take India's excess manpower.On the west is India's LAXMAN REKHA. Most relevant question to day is what is the "critical commodity" the world is dependent on India? The answer is NOTHING. This is a dreadfull reallity India faces today. I believe that India must cross Laxman rekha even if Pak behaves like RAVAN. A peace with Ravan is better than doing nothing or internal decay/implosion.
The world will come to us if we are transparent and let them we are equal paertner not just cheap labour source. we should look to long term development of markets. The world is beating at the door of Singapore because they have built very good human and financial basis of their society. Let the world know we are open for business as equal partners not sweat shops like China. We don't need that business for the sake of all of our people and country.
i am writing these lines after reading the very first announcemnts made by Mr Obama.Obama is more concerned about gaining max commercial deals in favour of America to reduce unemployments back at home. In this context it is more obligatory on the part of India to diversify its global commercial and strategic partners.And the Eook East policy gains more importance for Indian Government at the same time also to compete with China and to counteract its growing influence in the region.
At the time when west is facing hard to cope with economic recession which created slump in demand and in same time rising India needs more energy and technology, improving relations with east Asian players who are rich in both can provide us resources and market.A timely move by govt when China is racing ahead to us and tapping resources.
I agree with the Editorial that India, if she wants to be anywhere near a superpower, will have to look in all directions to build its own base. China tried to do it but has failed because of its ever present self-centered and cocky behavior giving more than one reason to earn distrust from all. India has different culture and has used its cultural base to earn decent respect from all concerned. If she continues this "India path", she will reach next stage of influence. If people only copies western path or China path, India will get lost in the shuffle. I wish Editors were a bit more specific with emphasis on this timely subject of the day.
I value your edit " Look East". It should not remain merely a mantra periodically to be repeated by ministers and diplomats which is what it has been all along. The ASEAN agreement should extend to investment, services and movement of people both ways. What you say in your concluding statement that for us both east and west are equally important is true. Hopefully, the UPA shall announce soon a slew of projects that it shall start in the South East Asian nations alongside the official announcement of the outcome of the ensuing American Presidential visit. Promised aims need the simultaneous and energetic action by government and apex business chambers. More flights and shipping services between various Indian cities and the cities of these nations presupposes increased level of trade and movement of people in the interests of all p0articipating nations. That is where the test of our government and business lies.
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