Twenty-five years ago, India embarked on a “look east” policy, partially as a block to what it could see would be the imminent rise of China. It has “taken care of business” by dramatically increasing trade with China (mostly imports) while simultaneously forging strategic relationships in what China regards as its own backyard. India has strengthened its ties with Burma, the Philippines, and Thailand, but more important, it is working with Vietnam and Japan to check China’s increasing domination of the South China Sea.
