The ‘Look East Policy’ of the Government of India has been evolving since early 1990s with inputs from different Departments of the Government and we have been able to significantly deepen our engagement with ASEAN and other countries of South and East Asia. Exchange of high level visits and enhanced levels of bilateral trade and investment give frequent opportunities to upgrade the framework and content of the Look East Policy on a regular basis. At the ASEAN-India Summit in October 2009 in Thailand, several new initiatives were announced by India to strengthen and carry forward our relationship.





India had signed a ‘Trade in Goods’ agreement with ASEAN in 2009, which became operational from 1 January, 2010. Agreements on Trade in Services and Investment as part of FTA are being discussed. India is also negotiating an FTA with BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Myanmar is a member of both ASEAN and BIMSTEC. It is understood that Myanmar is undertaking upgradation of parts of Stillwell road.




This information was given by Shri S. M. Krishna, Union Minister of External Affairs in reply to a question by Shri P. S. Ghatowar and Shri Joseph Toppo in Lok Sabha