<jats:p>A key theme that runs through the volume is the growing salience of economic security as a driver of India’s relations with East Asia. Although New Delhi’s earlier iteration of the Act East Policy (AEP), the Look East Policy (LEP), focused on expanding the country’s economic ties with ASEAN countries, the measured and tangible developments in this regard were felt under the AEP. In parallel, AEP expanded India’s strategic engagements with the region.</jats:p>