ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the growth of naval cooperation between India and South East Asia from the perspective of the latter. It argues that despite growth of naval cooperation with India, the depth and scope of that cooperation depends on the political motivations, geographical imperative and capabilities of individual South East Asian countries. It then explains why and how India's Look East policy has led to increased naval cooperation with South East Asia. The chapter discusses how South East Asian countries view naval cooperation with India in the context of the South China Sea disputes. It then examines South East Asia's reception of naval cooperation with India by explaining the reasons behind the variance in the depth and scope of cooperation. The Look East Policy was reiterated once more by India's Prime Minister Narenda Modi during the 12th East Asia Summit (EAS) in November 2014 under a new brand name the Act East Policy.
