Which one of the following is NOT one of the objectives of Act East Policy ?
To promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region
To promote peace and amity with the neighbouring countries of Asia
To place emphasis on India-ASEAN cooperation in India's domestic agenda
To provide enhanced connectivity to the North East of India
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
– Promoting economic cooperation, cultural ties, and strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region (often referred to as Asia-Pacific in the policy’s initial context). (Matches option A)
– Deepening engagement with ASEAN as the central pillar of the policy. (Related to option C, emphasizing India-ASEAN cooperation in domestic agenda, like North East development)
– Enhancing connectivity (physical, digital, people-to-people) between India and the region, particularly focusing on connecting India’s North East to Southeast Asia. (Matches option D)
– Promoting India’s presence and interests in the broader Indo-Pacific architecture.
Option B, “To promote peace and amity with the neighbouring countries of Asia,” is a general principle of India’s foreign policy towards its neighbourhood (part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy). While relevant to some countries covered by Act East (like Myanmar), it is not the *specific, defining objective* of the Act East Policy compared to the focus on strategic, economic, and connectivity engagement with the *eastward* region (Southeast Asia and East Asia). The Act East Policy has a distinct geographic and thematic focus beyond general ‘peace with neighbours’.