India’s Act East Policy and China Factor

The launch of India’s Act East Policy and its visible foray into Southeast Asia has initiated a new great game in the region. There is a tussle between India and China to establish its influence in Myanmar in particular and Southeast Asia region in general. This is particularly because Myanmar is geo-strategically and geo-economically significant for rival nations of India and China. There is much to gain for both India and China by having a constructive engagement in Myanmar. India’s early diplomatic dilemma vis-à-vis Myanmar owing to issue of democracy and the fact that China successfully managed to woe Myanmar since the early years makes it imperative for India to correct its diplomatic folly by having a meaningful engagement with Myanmar in present era given its ambitious Act East Policy.