ABSTRACT
The invitation to the first East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005 once more highlighted India’s ambitions to become more closely associated with the dynamics of regionalism in East and Southeast Asia. This strategy started with the Look East Policy in the early 1990s following India’s comprehensive economic reforms after 1991. When looking at India’s foreign policy it is obvious that her quest for intra- and inter-regional politics is not a new phenomenon. Nehru had already been a champion of regional cooperation both within Asia and the de-colonized countries. But during the Cold War period India’s ambitions had been hampered both by the constellations of the international system and her lack of economic resources. India’s recent attempts for stronger participation in intra- and inter-regional arenas therefore seem to have much better prospects. First, the international environment is much more conducive to various forms of regional cooperation. Second, India has developed both the political will for regional cooperation and the material resources with the economic liberalisation and her policy of integration into the world market. This has enhanced the country’s attractiveness to become a member of regional organisations.
