Snow Lions on the Frontlines: Honouring the Legacy of the Special Frontier Force

 

Act East, Look West, Engage North, Reconnect South: Anchoring India's Diplomacy

 

Introduction
India’s foreign policy has undergone significant evolution over the past few decades, marked by a series of strategic initiatives that reflect the nation’s ambition to strengthen ties across global regions. As the world's largest democracy and a rising power, India has aimed to balance its diplomatic efforts, focusing on both immediate neighbors and far-reaching partners. The slogan "Act East, Look West, Engage North, Reconnect South" encapsulates the essence of India's contemporary foreign policy. This approach signifies its strategic outreach in the East, engagement with the West, diplomacy in the North, and cultural and economic connections to the South—all while anchoring its core principles of autonomy, development, and global cooperation.

 

Act East: Strengthening Ties with Asia

India's Act East Policy has its roots in the Look East Policy initiated in the early 1990s. Designed to forge closer relationships with Southeast Asian and East Asian nations, the Act East Policy, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, reflects a more action-oriented approach. Its goals include deepening economic ties, enhancing defense cooperation, and promoting people-to-people interactions with ASEAN countries and beyond.

Key highlights of the Act East Policy include:

1.      Economic Partnerships: Trade with ASEAN and East Asian countries has increased significantly, with agreements such as the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) fueling this growth.

2.      Defense and Security: Joint military exercises like the Malabar exercises, along with maritime security dialogues, have enhanced India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region, countering regional security threats.

3.      Connectivity Initiatives: Infrastructure projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway are aimed at boosting connectivity, fostering trade, and enhancing people-to-people ties.

By "acting east," India demonstrates its commitment to building a stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific region, countering China’s influence, and promoting regional security.

 

Look West: Expanding Horizons to the Middle East and Beyond

The Look West Policy emerged as a response to India's growing energy needs and strategic interests in the Middle East. By looking west, India aims to deepen its engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Iran, Israel, and North Africa.

Key focus areas of the Look West Policy include:

1.      Energy Security: India relies heavily on the Middle East for its oil imports, making the region vital for securing energy supplies.

2.      Defense and Security Cooperation: The Gulf and West Asia are pivotal for India’s security interests, as these regions face terrorism, political instability, and other transnational threats.

3.      Diaspora Engagement: India’s large expatriate population in the Middle East contributes significantly to the Indian economy through remittances. Strengthening ties with these countries enhances the welfare of this diaspora.

4.      Bilateral Ties with Israel and Iran: Israel has become a close defense partner, while Iran is crucial for India’s connectivity projects, including access to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the Chabahar Port.

India’s engagement with the West strengthens its position in energy security, and defense, and supports India’s role in regional stability.

 

Engage North: Ties with Europe and North America

India's engagement with the global north—primarily Europe and North America—has been a critical dimension of its diplomacy. This engagement revolves around partnerships in trade, technology, security, and climate action.

Some notable aspects of the Engage North Policy include:

Trade and Investment: The European Union and the United States are among India's top trading partners, making economic ties essential.

1.      Defense and Technology Collaboration: With the U.S., India has moved from buyer-seller relations to deep technology and defense collaborations, including agreements like the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

2.      Strategic Dialogues: India’s 2+2 dialogues with the U.S., Japan, and other major partners underscore its commitment to building multifaceted relationships.

3.      Climate and Sustainable Development: As global leaders in addressing climate change, India and the global north collaborate on renewable energy projects, especially under the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Through strategic engagement with the north, India strengthens its economy, enhances defense capabilities, and plays a proactive role in global governance.

 

Reconnect South: Reviving Ties with the Global South

Historically, India was deeply connected with the global south—countries in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Southeast Asia—particularly during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) era. The Reconnect South approach signifies India’s renewed commitment to supporting developing countries, promoting shared growth, and fostering mutual support on global issues.

Key elements of the Reconnect South Policy are:

1.      Development Assistance: India offers developmental support, capacity building, and skill-sharing with African and Latin American countries.

2.      Health and Education Initiatives: Through programs like the India-Africa Forum Summit, India aids in healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects across African countries.

3.      Multilateral Cooperation: India advocates for the interests of developing nations in forums like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

4.      Climate Diplomacy: India works with the global south on issues of sustainable development and climate justice, focusing on the specific challenges faced by developing nations.

By reconnecting with the global south, India revitalizes historical ties, reinforces solidarity with developing nations, and enhances its influence on the global stage.

Anchoring India’s Diplomacy: Autonomy and Strategic Independence

While actively engaging with different regions, autonomy remains a constant pillar in India’s foreign policy. This strategic autonomy, rooted in India's tradition of non-alignment, ensures that India maintains its independence in global affairs without becoming overly dependent on any single power.

1.      Balanced Diplomacy: India’s simultaneous partnerships with the U.S., Russia, and other major powers underscore its commitment to independent decision-making.

2.      Non-Alignment 2.0: Modern non-alignment does not imply staying away from partnerships but maintaining the flexibility to pursue interests that align with India’s growth, security, and sovereignty.

3.      Domestic Development as Priority: India’s diplomacy is ultimately anchored in advancing domestic goals—economic growth, technological progress, and security—which remain at the core of its international engagements.

 This principle of remaining autonomous enables India to navigate the complexities of global politics while safeguarding its national interests.

 

Conclusion
"Act East, Look West, Engage North, Reconnect South, Remain Autonomous" succinctly encapsulates India’s multifaceted foreign policy. This approach not only reflects India’s active engagement with diverse regions but also emphasizes the core principle of autonomy that guides its diplomacy. As India continues to rise as a significant global player, these strategies will serve as the pillars of its global outreach, ensuring a balanced, independent, and forward-looking foreign policy anchored in India’s unique national interests and values.