---
title: "Act East: India's Foreign Policy Doctrine | Model Diplomat"
description: "Act East is India's 2014 foreign policy doctrine enhancing ties with Southeast Asia, focusing on strategic partnerships and security. Discover its key aspects."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/act-east"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Act East is India's foreign policy doctrine, formalised in 2014, that upgrades its earlier Look East Policy from economic engagement to strategic, security and connectivity partnership with Southeast Asia and the wide…
- How does Act East differ from the earlier Look East Policy?
- Which connectivity projects are central to Act East?
- What is the relationship between Act East and SAGAR?
- Why did India stay out of RCEP, and how does this affect Act East?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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At the 2014 East Asia Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally rebranded India's Look East Policy as "Act East," signalling a strategic and security-focused upgrade to engagement with ASEAN.

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