ABSTRACT
Multilateral trade in Asia is entering a new chapter of interaction and integration with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) initiated by ASEAN and the US-centred Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Two compelling regional issues – trade liberalisation and economic integration – have been at the core of these initiatives.1 The backdrop of these efforts is the US ‘pivot to Asia’ vis-à-vis ‘rebalancing’ strategy, prevailing maritime disputes in the region and a range of free trade agreements (FTAs).2 This chapter is aimed at explaining the politics, policies and nuances that both India and China attach to RCEP and TPP. It argues that India’s association with China under the RCEP negotiation is an opportunity for India to maximise its ‘Act East’ policy, and uphold the dialogue of East Asian community building under the premise of ASEAN + 6 and beyond, which has so far wilted under constant Chinese opposition.
