Act East Policy — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Summit 2022
November 2022The elevation of India-ASEAN relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level in November 2022 marked a significant milestone in the Act East Policy's evolution. This upgrade reflects the deepening of ties across all four pillars of the policy - political, strategic, economic, and cultural. The summit resulted in the adoption of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2021-2025) and announcements of new initiatives including the ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future and enhanced connectivity projects. The partnership upgrade demonstrates the success of India's ASEAN centrality approach and provides a framework for addressing contemporary challenges including supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and climate action.
UPSC Angle: UPSC is likely to test this development through questions on India-ASEAN institutional mechanisms, the significance of comprehensive strategic partnerships, and the evolution of Act East Policy. Expect questions comparing different levels of partnerships and their implications for bilateral relations.
India's Participation in Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Launch
May 2022India's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework launched by the United States in May 2022 represents a significant evolution in the Act East Policy's economic dimension. India chose to participate in three of IPEF's four pillars - supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy - while opting out of the trade pillar due to concerns about market access and regulatory standards. This selective participation reflects India's strategic autonomy approach, engaging in beneficial cooperation while protecting domestic interests. IPEF participation aligns with Act East Policy objectives of economic integration and technological cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners.
UPSC Angle: Questions may focus on IPEF's significance for India's Indo-Pacific strategy, the reasons for selective participation, and how it complements existing Act East Policy initiatives. Comparative questions with RCEP withdrawal and different approaches to regional economic integration are likely.