The Act East Policy is an initiative by the Government of India to promote economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region at different levels. It was originally launched as the Look East Policy by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in 1991 and was later rebranded as the Act East Policy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 to signify a more proactive approach.

The Act East Policy is an initiative by the Government of India to promote economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region at different levels. It was originally launched as the Look East Policy by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in 1991 and was later rebranded as the Act East Policy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 to signify a more proactive approach.

### Objectives of the Act East Policy

1. **Economic Cooperation**: Enhancing trade and investment with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and other East Asian countries.

2. **Strategic and Security Interests**: Strengthening security cooperation with key countries in the region.

3. **Cultural Ties**: Deepening cultural relations and people-to-people contact.

4. **Connectivity Projects**: Improving physical and digital connectivity with Southeast Asian countries.

### Key Components and Areas of Focus

1. **Trade and Investment**: Encouraging Indian businesses to engage more with ASEAN and East Asian markets.

2. **Infrastructure and Connectivity**: Developing infrastructure projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project.

3. **Strategic Partnerships**: Enhancing defense and strategic partnerships with countries like Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and the United States.

4. **Cultural Exchange**: Promoting tourism, educational exchanges, and cultural linkages.

### States Involved

Indian states in the northeastern region play a crucial role in the Act East Policy due to their geographical proximity to Southeast Asia. These states include:

1. **Arunachal Pradesh**

2. **Assam**

3. **Manipur**

4. **Meghalaya**

5. **Mizoram**

6. **Nagaland**

7. **Sikkim**

8. **Tripura**

These states serve as India's gateway to Southeast Asia and are pivotal for connectivity projects and cross-border trade.

### Origins and Development

- **1991**: Launch of the Look East Policy by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, focusing on economic integration with Southeast Asia.

- **2003**: Under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the policy was expanded to include China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

- **2014**: Rebranded as the Act East Policy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing a more proactive and action-oriented approach.

### Future Intentions

The future intentions of the Act East Policy include:

1. **Deepening Economic Ties**: Further integrating Indian businesses with East Asian economies through trade agreements and investment.

2. **Strengthening Strategic Ties**: Enhancing security cooperation to address shared challenges such as maritime security and terrorism.

3. **Improving Connectivity**: Completing ongoing infrastructure projects and initiating new ones to enhance physical connectivity.

4. **Promoting Cultural and People-to-People Ties**: Increasing cultural exchanges and educational opportunities to build stronger societal links.

In summary, the Act East Policy aims to make India a significant player in the Asia-Pacific region through enhanced economic integration, strategic cooperation, and cultural exchange. It recognizes the strategic importance of the northeastern states in connecting India with Southeast Asia and leverages their potential to bolster regional ties.