India's connections with Southeast Asia go back to historic times. With the seas being the primary medium of communications in those days, India acted as a bridge for trade between eastern Asia and the West. This interaction also witnessed a mutual exchange of political ideas, culture, religion, art and language between India and modern day Southeast Asia. India's relations with its extended neighbourhood have received a fillip with the formulation of its 'Look East' policy in early 1990s. Forging comprehensive and mutually beneficial bonds with Southeast Asia has been the cornerstone of this policy.
