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India's Southeast Asia Strategic Layout: Decoding Modi's "Act East" and "SAGAR" Vision

In the ever - changing Indo - Pacific region, Southeast Asia is increasingly becoming a key stage for major - power competition. Amid this complex geopolitical game, India, with its unique geographical location and ambitious strategic layout, is quietly emerging as a force to be reckoned with.
Today, let's delve into India's strategic moves in Southeast Asia and see how the Modi government is weaving its strategic network there through the "Act East" policy and the "SAGAR" initiative.

From "Neighborhood First" to "Act East": What's India's Intent?


After taking office in 2014, the Modi government introduced the "Neighborhood First" policy, emphasizing fostering friendly relations with India's neighbors. This seemingly simple policy actually had a hidden agenda.
By closely cooperating with Southeast Asian neighbors like Myanmar, India not only secured its land borders but also cleverly used Myanmar as a stepping - stone to strengthen ties with the broader Southeast Asian region.
If "Neighborhood First" is the cornerstone of India's regional stability, then "Act East" is the sharp sword for its deeper engagement in Southeast Asia. The predecessor of "Act East", the 1992 "Look East" policy, aimed to correct India's neglect of East Asia. Under Modi's government, "Look East" was upgraded to "Act East", highlighting the shift from mere observation to proactive action, and deepening relations with ASEAN and its members in a more dynamic way.

The "SAGAR" Initiative: The Soul of India's Maritime Strategy?


While "Act East" represents India's land - based moves in Southeast Asia, the "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative is the soul of its maritime strategy. Unveiled by Prime Minister Modi in Mauritius in 2015, "SAGAR", meaning "Security and Growth for All in the Region", aims to build a free, open, and inclusive Indo - Pacific maritime order, emphasizing freedom of navigation, international rule of law, and peaceful dispute resolution.
Guided by "SAGAR", India has taken on the role of a "net security provider". It has enhanced its naval power projection and conducted maritime cooperation with friendly nations to safeguard maritime security in the Indian Ocean - Western Pacific region.
For instance, India has deployed a coastal radar and surveillance network in the Indian Ocean to boost maritime situational awareness and engaged in maritime search - and - rescue and anti - piracy cooperation with regional countries. These actions have not only showcased India's investment in maritime security but also been widely welcomed by Southeast Asian nations.

India's Strategic Cooperation with Key Southeast Asian Nations: The Untold Stories


Among Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam is widely recognized as one of India's most important strategic partners. The two countries' cooperation in defense and security stands out. In recent years, India has been vigorously providing Vietnam with military equipment and training support, even for the first time gifting Vietnam a serving main warship - the "Kiranpan" missile frigate.
Unlike the close Vietnam - India partnership, India's relations with Malaysia were once rather平稳. However, with the evolving regional landscape, the two sides have begun to seek stronger cooperation, particularly in economic and defense fields.
In 2024, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar's official visit to India became a major catalyst for accelerating bilateral ties. From joint military exercises and personnel training to defense industry cooperation and discussions on high - tech industries like semiconductors, India - Malaysia relations are entering a new phase of pragmatic cooperation.
India's relations with Thailand also deserve attention. In 2025, bilateral ties were officially upgraded to a strategic partnership, marking a new level of cooperation. In the defense and security sphere, the two sides have long established mechanisms such as annual joint maritime patrols and counter - terrorism joint exercises.
In terms of trade, economy, and connectivity, Thailand has actively participated in transport network construction under the BIMSTEC framework. It has proposed the "Kra Isthmus Land Bridge" project, which aims to connect the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. India has expressed its support for this initiative.


The Future Trajectory of India's Influence in Southeast Asia...





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