India's Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said that India's Act East policy announced in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi places Southeast Asia in a core position.

The meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of the partnership between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took place in New Delhi, India  (Photo: Huy Binh/Vietnam+)

The policy enhances India’s multi-faceted engagement with ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific region, and seeks to deepen economic integration, politico-security cooperation and socio-cultural dialogue with regional countries. Swaraj said the India-ASEAN strategic partnership has contributed to regional growth and stability, and India will continue working with ASEAN in regional and global forums to shape the economic and security architecture of the Asia Pacific region.