India’s Trade with ASEAN under Act East Policy: Trends, Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

India’s Act East Policy (AEP), which aims to enhance India’s strategic & economic connections with Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and the broader Indo-Pacific region, has been a defining feature of India’s foreign trade strategy since its formal introduction in 2014. This study examines the trends, prospects, and issues or challenges in India-ASEAN trade under Act East Policy (AEP) framework. It explores how India’s economic relationships with ASEAN have evolved over the last decade, the opportunities for trade expansion, and the obstacles that could potentially hamper this growth. By analyzing the dynamics of regional trade agreements, infrastructure development, and geopolitical factors, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the current and future trajectory of India’s trade relation with ASEAN under the Act East Policy of India.