The Big Picture - India’s Act East Policy

[@shashiketan]

*118. INDIA'S ACT EAST POLICY* • India became important in 1990 and has emerged since then. • 1994: joined ASEAN as a member • In 1990 - bilateral trade was only $6bn which increased to $12bn by 2003 when negotiations on free trade area started. After finalizing FTA in 2009, trade grew between India & ASEAN close to $72bn. Dimensions in Act East policy: • RCEP negotiations: Free trade deal with ASEAN & 6 other countries. India’s concerns for huge trade deficit of $107bn which would be further detrimental if cheap & low quality goods are allowed. Steel, Pharma, Textile & diary sector may have to face stiff competition. India is also pushing for mobility of skilled professional to gain market for India’s service sector. India is looking for balanced, fair & equitable partnerships. • Strategic: China is strongest in the region with strongholds in ports of Gwadar, Sittwe, Hamabantota, Tanzania, Chittagong, Djibouti & Kenya. India must look into its security to counter China’s move in the region. o India should not shy away from entering into East Asian region. o Cooperation with Philippines Vietnam in the 9 dash line is ongoing. o India’s presence in Seychelles, Mauritius and broadbased dialogue with Quad groupings o Military exercises with Vietnam, Malabar exercise with Australia & Singapore. o Development of Sabang port in Indonesia, very close to choke point of Malacca strait o 2015: India & USA released a vision statement for Indo - Pacific region from east coast of India to west coast of USA o As iterated by our PM, India’s Indo - Pacific policy is neither a strategy nor an initiative, it’s a geographical construct to ensure freedom of navigation & make it more inclusive, transparent & balanced. • Commerce, Connectivity, Culture & Capacity Building • While US & China are dominant in military & economic respectively, India’s niche are is civilization links juxtaposed with freedom movement. Challenges for India: • We have not taken the full advantage of FTA with 17 different countries & CEPA with Japan & CECA with S. Korea. • Manufacturing sector in India has to be competitive. • No major reforms in Labor & land sector since 1990. Way Forward: • Negotiations to reduce trade deficit - and address issues of rules of origin clause. • Galvanize local economy: make changes to domestic laws. • Make people to people connections strong - from state to intersocietal linkages. • Continuing engagement with countries to secure strategic interests - France could be potential ally. • Faster implementation of Kaladan Multimodal project & IMT to integrate with north eastern states ASEAN can play an anchoring role for India’s act east policy & norm based multilateralism.

[@shaistaanjum359]

Have done greate job ...thank you ☺

[@amishashukla5069]

Thank you

[@mahendrakumarmahala397]

thanks

[@pradumndwivedi9639]

thanks bro

[@gautamgunjan8471]

UPSC aspirants always thankful to RSTV💖

[@RajKumarSingh-gp6gd]

Excellent discussion . Outstanding anchoring by Frank . Guests selection and there inputs are its best . All credit to RSTV .

[@scorhigh7752]

India’s Act East Policy Importance of East and Southeast to India: - interest since the 50s After Narasimha Rao PM 1994 joined ASEAN Part of East Asia summit 72 billion $ trade with all these regions Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand- key players Security dimension- Indopacific; India status in the Indian Ocean region culture bilateral and multilateral relation Trade and East: - historical imbalance - progression of trade with ASEAN countries- since 1996 - 2 billion $--> FTA in goods in 2003= 12 billion $ (progress compounded rate of growth around 12%)--> 2009= FTA in goods finalized trade increased significantly--> 2012, 20th anniversary= 72 billion $ (Annual progression of 23% since India started the negotiations in 2003) - Trade deficit- 22 billion $ (grown) - RCEP- with all the members is about $ 107 billion 4 pillars of connectivity- culture; commerce and capacity building India important power centre. Concerns: - Huge trade deficit and is India goes ahead with it then it will tantamount to signing FTA wth China--> and without a FTA with China India has a trade deficit of $ 55 billion then India's doors will be open for cheap Chinese products- steel, pharma, plastics, aluminium. - RCEP can open doors of dairy products from Australia and New Zealand - In service industry negotiations India is not getting a good response South China Sea: Vision statement on Indo Pacific- 2015 Quad- revived in 2017, at Malina East Asia Summit India is collaborating with the whole host of countries Vietnam- 2 blocs 127 and 128 of Paracel islands Indonesia- project signed to develop Port of Subang Exercises Malabar; Australia; Singapore

[@abhinavsingh5810]

Ambassador from 4:38 to 9:32, very effective As correctly mentioned by Ambassador as far as strategic and economic consideration is concerned INDIA HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO BE A MEMBER OF RCEP. Similar to this once we are talking about that we got struck between Russia, USA, CHINA(huawei) the statement said by another panelist was this ENGAGE WITH EVERYONE BUT ALIGN WITH NONE. We've to take in practice these statements.

[@mohdatif6651]

Rcep could prove to be a trap for India especially by countries like CHINA KOREA AUS, NZ Here we are talking about FTA and not other kind of agreement where it poses a threat not only to sectors which are vulnerable but also sectors like pharma where India has edge is on the vulnerable list.

[@Rahulpriye]

good to see ashok sir.. Professor swaran singh has a great knowledge.please invite him on a regular basis

[@spandanpandey4081]

Ashok Sajjanhar sir possesses such enthusiasm that you are compelled to listen to him .He has such broad perspectives on current events , fabulous!

[@nicknagar874]

Ashok Sajjanhar sir elaboration was quite insightful... hope to see him more 😊🇮🇳🙏✌🏻

[@jeeshithasampangi2042]

thank you RSTV big picture for the wonderful panelists and discussion ....

[@therawbean69]

Great discussion with Dara Singh, Bruce Banner & Kadar Khan!

[@shivjeetrawat9800]

Swaran and Ashok sir have a good understanding...invite them in more shows

[@target3billion.]

Excellent..... 👌

[@TDBengaliGyan]

Ashok sir:- wow!

[@MuskanKumari-ke4hl]

Thank you so much for the discussion : )

[@aksshaysharma96]

The funny ad in the BG during Mr. Sajanhars time...was funny though🤣

[@acegamerz2377]

Ashok sir was excellent today

[@abhayjaiswal454]

Ashok sir is always excellent not only today

[@ajaydhull2090]

Great discussion thanks rstv

[@Therbiwarrior098]

Nice session

[@kavitadhyawna8168]

Good discussion...

[@mayankmayank5534]

Nice show

[@madhurikumari3584]

Outstanding vedio with balanced argument stated by the expertise that's amazing as well as the question whatever u hv puted is adorable. Bcz India's east policy is the concerning matter of all competitive student as far as the all person who is looking this kind of video in regular manner. Apart from this if I talk about India's east looking forward is galvanized the whole economy will recover, their soft power to hard power mechanism is formulate security formula and the safeguard activitsm in the Asia pacific region organised( RCEP) organization which is called as regional comprehensive economic partnership. Why it's become too much imp for India?? As China emerged their power in this region becoming strong in manufacturing industry, cheap material, their trade relationship increases from past to present like they had already strenght the( Perl harbour chain) all around the India it's a bonus point for that country. But India also want bcm super power with the collaboration of various agreement such as service, IT sector, culture expansion, stretgic partnership, dairy product export at large level, employment for the youth, poverty reduction phenomenon etc. Yet Indian Prime Minister, foreign minister, and another minister visited many countries for the relaxation of the trade deficit, move out the economic barrier which is still resistance in some sector. Instead of that the biggest issue is related to "DATA LOCALISTION " which mean our social media data could be safe in our country so that we can resolve our cyber security,robbery, problem and some hidden problem with the specific or enormous data can wrk out selective method. My question in this topic is that what could be the longest, safer, solution for the India's system or propaganda on east looking forward???? Pls review on that qus if anyone knows that. Thanku Sir fr this international relations topic is discussed here.

[@ravindrababu7231]

Look East traversed into Act East. Fine. But how our Act East transcended into in the background PRof China. Hope India will emerge great with their pre eminient status. Thank you. Sir. ‘Look Self and Act Smart’ Policy might be our future plan. An idea pl. thanks.

[@SAMARTHYA_IAS_JUDICIARY]

India Malaysia Relationship. RCEP is definitely a challenge for us,but if we don't sign,then it would not be in our favour... RCEP is simply forcing us to make our products even more competitive than usually what we have..

[@PP-ts4bm]

But we have to Also think about our farmers na nd Also MSME sector

[@suzimanipur2983]

👍

[@harish.s6237]

One important aspect of trade deficit with china and ASEAN is India exports raw materials and import finished goods. RCEP needs India but not the other way around. Hence India need to take tough stand like in the case of BRI. India need to engage seriously with QUAD, and try to balance China.

[@Therbiwarrior098]

Nice tv show

[@chaitanyadange2780]

Provide the subtitles if possible so, thank you

[@vickypoonia020]

Way forward: Success of Act East policy will also define the difference we are able to make to the life and commerce of our people in the north-east because there the connectivity becomes extremely important. We are already doing that but more needs to be done in collaborating with countries in South China Sea. India must continue to focus on further strengthening collaboration with ASEAN nations and others. India’s bureaucratic shift is an important move to articulate its regional policy more cogently, coherently and with a renewed sense of purpose. Partners must work to promote economic revival, seek strategic cooperation to fight terrorism, and enhance maritime security and defense cooperation. Soft power such as Buddhism, tourism, people-to-people contacts, and cultural ties with the region must continue to be harnessed. Beyond, but linked to ASEAN, India must further strengthen strategic and economic ties with the U.S., Japan, Korea, Australia, and also with China. Important sectors like technology transfer, civilian nuclear cooperation, defence, and innovation should be given priority Continuous engagement with China too is necessary to expand cooperation, particularly on the economic front.

[@jayshelke5096]

Rajendra Harshe, Ashok Sir Thank ............👌👌♨️😅.....Thanks RS TV.....Jay Maharashtra.....😅♨️ Also Frank Thanks Aa....👌👌

[@aspirant8996]

special status category state : Maharashtra.

[@shashipratapsingh1112]

I know many people don't like you but I love your continuity to comment in same style in each debate.

[@jayshelke5096]

@@shashipratapsingh1112 ..... Manish Bro Thanks......

[@janvyindia5482]

@@shashipratapsingh1112 weird style i must say

[@rupendrarathore7977]

Jai hind

[@Untold_story19]

The cartoon playing behind is very distracting

[@rajivlal4733]

Ashok Sajjanhar sounds like a school teacher rather than a diplomat. His comments are commonplace and average.

[@vipulkushwaha9525]

Duniya ka rule h,,, kmjor taqatwar ka hi saath deta h,,, Isiliye china is better option then India