Enhancing India-ASEAN Connectivity

Twenty years ago, India launched its Look East policy. For most of those 20 years, Myanmars isolation, mistrust between India and its neighbors, and poor infrastructure connectivity hindered the development of links between South and Southeast Asia. With Myanmars tentative opening and improved relations between India and Bangladesh, an opportunity exists for India to boost trade and security ties with mainland and maritime Southeast Asia. And the United States, during President Barack Obamas second term, is committed to rebalancing toward Asia, with India playing a pivotal role. With these facts in mind, CSIS presents key recommendations in the areas of diplomacy and security, infrastructure and energy, and enhancing people-to-people collaboration among India, ASEAN, and the United States.