India and the Philippines: Time to Go Beyond the ASEAN Framework

Abstract

Through its Look East policy (1992-2014) and current Act East policy enacted in 2014, India has strived to build stronger ties with Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. With the Philippines, however, most linkages are through ASEAN-steered mechanisms and bilateral relations are still not as strong as what India has with countries such as Singapore and Vietnam. Today, India-Philippines relations are on the right track although the pace of cooperation needs to be augmented. While ASEAN and its affiliate institutions have been effective in bringing Delhi and Manila closer, they have to devise ways and means to develop a long-term comprehensive agenda to bring the relationship to the next level.