隨著冷戰結束及印度與東南亞地區經貿關係的開展,再加上國際環境壓力與外交新思維,印度乃順勢推動與東南亞的「關係正常化」,特別是Narasimha Rao在1991年出任總理並正式提出了「東進」政策,接著於1994年與越南簽訂雙邊軍事合作協議以揭開序幕後,更逐漸加強與其他東南亞及東亞國家之間的軍事和經濟合作關係。儘管由於種種因素制約,此後幾年間雙方合作其實進展有限,主要原因是印度必須優先處理因為1987年推動經濟改革以來所引發的國內動盪局勢,並配合國際貨幣基金與世界銀行等機制進行自由化政策調整,但東南亞地區對印度而言,仍是其將影響力伸入亞太地區的重要跳板。在本文當中,我們便企圖對此種角色地位進行闡述。
With the transformation of the international environment, including the end of Cold War and the rapid economic development of East Asia, India has also transformed its diplomacy and decided to normalize bilateral relation with Southeast Asian countries. One result is the so-called ”Look East Policy” of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, which seeks to strengthen India's military and economic cooperation with Southeast Asia. Even though India must first deal with the challenge of its economic liberalization and cope with the push for liberalization from international organizations such as the IMF, it still regards Southeast Asia as a springboard to enter the huge East Asian market. This paper will analyze the possible role of Southeast Asia in India's new foreign policy.