India remained consistent with its foreign policy,specifically non alignment and panchsheel which have delivered fruitful results up till now, whether it is conflicting rivals of west asian nations or historical cold war rivals Russia and USA, India maintained its strategic interest without getting in to conflict. But recent events that took place in our immediate region of South and South east, Asia, is signal to take strong position.
1) Expansionist approach of China in south china sea, which is threat to our maritime security and trade and for the strategic positioning of ASEAN nation, requires our strong stand i.e; taken in Doklam issue and which in turn enhance this nations faith in us and may help us in UNSC permanent seat too.
2) Trade related issues regarding RCEP as well as Trade in Services are essential for us due to our demographic dividends and hence essential to built robust relation rather a selective strategic interests.
3) we may enhance our reach by maritime exercises as well by making small defence exports to this country and helping them in space technology.
4) the Gujaral doctrine on Look east also emphasized in helping this ASEAN nations but we should enhance it by making them strategic partner in development and security.
Recent steps of china, regarding investmet in Sri lanka, Maldives and Pakistan may give long term strategic advantages to it, but a recent internal conflicting situations, in SriLankan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Myanmmar which is suffering from refugee crisis, is an opportunity to us to consolidate our tactics to not only in south east asia but to south asia too.
Act East policy aims for economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with the ASEAN countires. Historical Ties with the ASEAN countries and technical and cultural exchanges between the two can transforme India as a net security provider. India's maritime capacity can lead the way forward.
At the time when China is relying on its expansion policy and the entire south China sea region is vulnerable, the ASEAN nations are looking for alternate which can provide the security in the region and India's Bilateral/regional relations with the ASEAN countires can be used to counterbalance China in the region.
Technological advancement such as ISRO's navigation system is a useful tool for monitoring and analyzing the data to avoid any vulnerability in the region.
Joint exercises such as Malabar, Simbex and Squad are the way forward to handle the increasing insurgency and terrorism in the region, which China has failed to provide so far.
Trade and economic activity are the main linking point between ASEAN and India, as both are Emerging and have a huge capacity to generate, manufacture and consume the products, which will also help to overcome the socio-economic inequality in the region.
Apart from the technological superiority, India's cultural ties with ASEAN and support from the USA, Japan, Australia etc. confirms the rise of India as a major regional power in the region, where Robust maritime capacity is going to be the game changer.
