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Understanding India's Regional Initiatives with East and Southeast Asia
Author(s) -
Chanda Rupa,
Gopalan Sasidaran
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
asian‐pacific economic literature
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.232
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1467-8411
pISSN - 0818-9935
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8411.2009.01223.x
Subject(s) - politics , china , dominance (genetics) , southeast asia , east asia , regional integration , development economics , economic integration , political science , investment (military) , economy , political stability , economic growth , international trade , geography , business , economics , sociology , gene , ethnology , biochemistry , chemistry , law
In recent years, India has concluded several bilateral and regional agreements with countries in East and Southeast Asia. This paper discusses four motivating factors underlying these initiatives: (i) the recognition by other Asian countries of India's growing importance as an investment and export market, as a supplier of manpower, and as a counterbalance to China's growing regional dominance; (ii) India's recognition of Asia's growing importance in the world economy; (iii) India's desire to prevent its marginalisation and to create a sphere of political and economic influence within East and Southeast Asia; and (iv) geo‐political considerations such as securing energy interests, and addressing transport and connectivity concerns and long‐term political and sub‐regional stability objectives. India's approach to these integration efforts has been largely defensive and its future integration initiatives are likely to be more geo‐political and strategic in nature.