The Development Of India’s "Look East Policy" In The21st Century And Its Impact On China

The end of the cold war ended the alliance between India and Soviet. India lostthe aid and support from Soviet and fell into diplomatic isolation in the world. From thedomestic perspective, pluralistic and complex political system, fierce partisanship,frequent alteration of governments, religious and ethnic conflict, all these factorscontributed to India into crisis situation. In order to respond the changes of Internationalpattern and domestic crisis, P. V. Narasimha Rao set out a new foreign policy, whichwas called “Look East Policy”, seeing ASEAN as a breakthrough, covering political,economic and military security cooperation, aiming at developing the economy,expanding the diplomatic strategy space, achieving great-power strategy ultimately.“Look East Policy” regarded economic development as a priority at thebeginning of implementation. India improved relations with ASEAN to rise bilateraleconomic and trade cooperation through high-level visits. After entering the21stcentury, India’s "Look East Policy" entered the stage of comprehensive development.The relationship between India and ASEAN gradually achieved the institutionalizationof political cooperation, economic and trade cooperation, military cooperation. Indiawas also developing relations with Japan or Korea, Russia, Australia and other Asiancountries besides ASEAN gradually.“Look East Policy” started to scope eastwardgeographically. The status of the Asia-Pacific area was raised rapidly after the outbreakof the financial crisis. America’s global strategy was adjusted and paid more attention tothe Asia-Pacific area after Obama assume the reins of government. In this new situation,India’s “Look East Policy” had some new changes. Besides expanding the relationshipwith the ASEAN, India began to establish strategic cooperation with other countries,increased the strategic interaction with the United States in the Asia-Pacific area.The development of comprehensive national strength, China and the changes in theAsia-Pacific area, the rise of strategic position of the western Pacific, all those factorsaccelerate India promote the “Look East Policy”.The increase of strategic interactionsbetween India and the United States would have an impact on China’s relationship with the ASEAN in politics, economics and trade, China’s safety on energy resources and searoute and peaceful settlement of the dispute about South China Sea. As an importantcountry in the Asia-Pacific area, China is in an important opportunity of development.To develop a good relationship with India and ASEAN is of great importance for Chinato grasp the strategic opportunity and realize peaceful development. China should treatthe development of India’s “Look East Policy” in the new period in a rational way andpay close attention to the advancement of this policy. China should actively promote theeconomic and trade cooperation, reinforce the security and defense cooperation withASEAN. In addition, China should actively deal with the geopolitical challenges causedby the “Look East Policy”.