In the First 100 Days of Modi 3.0, India Intensifies Focus on ‘Act East’ Policy
Image Source: MSN
Under Modi 3.0, India’s ‘Act East’ policy gains momentum with enhanced ties to Southeast Asia, increased defense cooperation, and expanded semiconductor collaboration.
In the first hundred days of Modi 3.0, India has prioritized its ‘Act East’ policy, with the President, Prime Minister, and External Affairs Minister all making trips to Southeast Asia to strengthen bilateral ties with ASEAN countries. During this period, President Draupadi Murmu visited Timor-Leste, Fiji, and New Zealand, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Malaysia in New Delhi and later traveled to Brunei and Singapore to deepen relationships.
Notably, PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to make a bilateral visit to Brunei since Independence, apart from Manmohan Singh’s brief 2013 visit for the ASEAN-India summit. This early focus on Singapore and Brunei in his third term highlights India’s diplomatic emphasis on Southeast Asia and its development through the ASEAN region. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has also engaged actively, hosting counterparts from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and visiting Laos and Singapore. PM Modi’s visit to Brunei aimed to enhance bilateral relations and reassure Southeast Asian countries of India’s commitment to the region, emphasizing deep defense cooperation with Brunei.
Modi’s visit to Singapore coincided with Singapore’s new PM Lawrence Wong assuming office on May 15, 2024, shortly after Modi began his third term. Their extensive discussions underscored the priority both nations place on bilateral ties. During Modi’s visit, Singapore-based developer CapitaLand announced plans to double its investments in India, and the two nations signed an MoU to enhance semiconductor collaboration. Despite pressures from China, Singapore has been a strong supporter of India within ASEAN.
Singapore is a significant player in the global semiconductor industry, contributing around 10% of the world’s semiconductor output, 5% of wafer fabrication capacity, and 20% of equipment production, with key companies like MediaTek, Qualcomm, and GlobalFoundries operating there. Additionally, Singapore has already assessed four out of 12 proposed industrial parks in India, with investment decisions forthcoming. As the ASEAN summit in Laos approaches in October, India, under PM Modi, has made clear its strategic commitment to Southeast Asia, recognizing its future and maritime security are closely linked with the region. For countries like Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, India is seen as a reliable partner free from economic coercion.
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