China in India's Post-Cold War Engagement with Southeast Asia

Chietigj Bajpaee is senior research fellow for South Asia in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, UK. Previously, he worked with several public policy think-tanks and risk consultancies in the United States, Europe and Asia, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Control Risks and IHS Markit, and has had visiting fellowships at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and Vivekananda International Foundation. He holds a doctorate from King's College London, UK, and the National University of Singapore.

• 1. Introduction 2. Deconstructing India’s ‘Look East’ Policy 3. Interplay between agency and structure 4. Launching ‘Look East’ (Until 1996) 5. ‘Look East’ – Phase 1 (Until 2004) 6. ‘Look East’ – Phase 2 (Until 2014) 7. ‘Act East’ – Phase 3 (2014 onwards) 8. Conclusions

"[This book] provides an in-depth analysis of India’s Look East Policy (LEP) by explaining its evolution through different phases. [... It] provides an important yet insightful analysis of the interplay between India’s relations with Southeast Asia and China. [...] The book is highly recommended for the experts in the fields of international relations, China’s foreign policy and also Indian foreign policy to gain a better understanding of China’s role in the LEP over time." - Simran Walia, Modern Diplomacy July 2022.[This book] departs from the conventional understanding in explaining India's engagement with Southeast Asia in the backdrop of economic liberalization and the maturing regional architecture in Asia as well as the growing importance of transnational security threats. [...] The book contributes to filling the gap in the existing literature, as Bajpaee's central argument delves into the assertion that it is not just with 'Act East' but rather the 'China factor' has been instrumental in 'driving and sustaining' India's post-Cold War engagement with Southeast Asia [...] a lucid and coherent read, the book is highly recommendet to both academics and policymakers, as well as students working on areas pertaining to Southeast Asia and Asian Affairs, at large; and Indian foreign policy, India-China relationship, and India's Look East/Act East Policy, in particular." - Amrita Jash, Strategic Analysis Vol 46, No.6, 641-643.