In the first 100 days of PM Modi’s third term, India’s ‘Act East’ policy has taken center stage with key diplomatic engagements across Southeast Asia. President Draupadi Murmu visited Timor-Leste, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the leaders of Vietnam and Malaysia in New Delhi, later travelling to Brunei and Singapore to strengthen bilateral ties.
Modi’s visit to Brunei marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister for bilateral talks since Independence, underlining the importance of the region.
The visit sought to enhance defence cooperation with the Sultanate and reaffirm India’s commitment to Southeast Asia. His trip to Singapore, shortly after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong assumed office, emphasized India’s strategic interest in semiconductor collaboration. The two countries signed an MoU aimed at aligning their semiconductor ecosystems and addressing supply chain challenges.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged with counterparts from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, further deepening India’s ties within the ASEAN bloc.
This renewed focus on Southeast Asia signals India’s intent to strengthen both economic and strategic partnerships, particularly in areas like technology and maritime security.
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