ABSTRACT
A very important dimension of the Look East policy was an attempt to link India’s landlocked Northeast region with the ASEAN. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Act East policy at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw. The policy continues to be driven by economic and security interests and is extended beyond Southeast Asia underlining the geopolitical importance of the region. This paper argues that the intention to promote the three C’s – commerce, connectivity and culture, have to be revisited in the context of converting the Northeast region of India into a soft power resource bank and economic hub. In doing so, the critical test for the success of the Act East policy lies to a great extent on India’s ability to strengthen its ties with Myanmar, in addressing the existing gap and preparing India’s Northeast for staging the operationalizing of the policy plan.
