ASSESSMENTS

India's Partnership With Southeast Asia Nears Its Limits

Sep 20, 2016 | 09:16 GMT

Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated his intention to deepen New Delhi's presence in Southeast Asia, for instance by visiting Vietnam in early September, accomplishing that goal will be easier said than done.

(HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images)

India has a long history with Southeast Asia. The country's influence remains visible throughout the region, from the Indian diaspora communities in Kuala Lumpur to the ancient Hindu temples in Jakarta. Some Southeast Asian nations owe their very names to India; Indonesia, for instance, means "Indian islands." Now, it seems that India hopes to renew its sway in Southeast Asia. In the span of one week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the president of Myanmar, made his first trip to Vietnam and attended the 14th annual India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos. The spate of engagements demonstrated Modi's intention to deepen New Delhi's presence in Southeast Asia, an achievement that will be easier said than done....

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