ASEAN serves the twin purpose of developing India's Northeast and augmenting the country's reach in the Southeast Asian region. Comment.

India's Act East policy plays an important role our engagement towards ASEAN and other East Asian nations. Developing North East ASEAN engagement is crucial for the complete development of North East because (1) Enhance connectivity and build integration of landlocked region with other nations iv India - Myanmar - Thailand Trilateral Highway ii Solving Myanmar issue as instability in Myanmar is fueling tensions in North East and hence hampering peace & development

(1a) India's support to ASEAN 5 points (Consensus to solve Myanmar crisis) Augmenting India's reach South East Asia (1) Indo ASEAN & LAIS to upgrade the FTA to boost India's engagement with South East Asian nations ii ASEAN platform to boost defence ties and cultural ties iv Huge Indian diaspora in Singapore, Malaysia pence - India exporting Brahmos missile to phillipines (3) Counter balance China in South East Asian region as there is mounting tension in South China sea Enhancing thrust of Act East policy can boost India reach towards the East Asia.