INDIAS FOREIGN POLICY: A TRANSFORMATION FROM LOOK-EAST TO ACT-EAST

Foreign trade relations are a result of foreign policy measures adopted by a country. In this field, India has witnessed a rapid change after the economic reforms of 1991. The foreign policy which was previously west oriented has been replaced by a more inclusive and nuanced policy which propagates the improvement of trade, diplomatic and security ties with eastern countries. In this regard, ‘Look-East’ policy was implemented in 1991 which was transformed as ‘Act-East ‘in 2014. Through this paper, the authors attempt to explain the chronology of this shift in foreign policy. A brief historical summary along with the reasons and transformation from Look-east to Act-east has been attempted to explain. The recent developments and their possible impact have been attempted to cover in the study. The authors have attempted to provide a lucid understanding of a complicated element of India’ foreign trade and International relations policy which may act as a ready reference for scholars/ academicians and curious readers who wish to understand the nuances of the south-eastern foreign policy of India