(a) the current status of the Look East Policy along with the action plan formulated by the Government in order to give it a new dimension;
(b) whether the Government has a proposal to connect India with other ASEAN countries by road;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the strategy, if any, chalked out in this regard; and
(d) the initiatives taken by the Government in order to boost bilateral relations with ASEAN countries?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. KL SINGH (RETD)
(a) India`s Look East Policy involves intensive and continuous engagement with countries in East Asia at bilateral and multilateral levels. Discussions are ongoing with different partner countries on further strengthening of elements in India`s Look East Policy. The Singapore Foreign Minister visited India on July 1-3, 2014. External Affairs Minister will be meeting her counterparts from the ASEAN, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) member countries in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference Plus One Meetings. These discussions will be utilized to emphasize the further enhancement of India`s Look East Policy.
(b) & (c) India has already built 160 kms of the Trilateral Highway between Tamu- Kalewa-Kalemyo in Myanmar. We have also undertaken another 120 kms of the Kalewa-Yagyi road and repair of 71 bridges on the Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo section. When complete, the Trilateral Highway will connect Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand. Myanmar and Thailand are also undertaking construction of parts of the Trilateral Highway in their respective countries.
(d) Bilateral relations with ASEAN countries are being strengthened through high level exchanges and meetings, at political and official levels. Emphasis is being given` to broaden cooperation across the three pillars of political-security, economic and socio- cultural collaboration.