The Northeast and India's Look East Policy: A Critical Analysis of Driven Development Model and Challenges

Abstract

India's Look East Policy (LEP) has garnered significant attention in recent years, particularly in the context of its engagement with the Northeast region. This paper critically examines the potency of the LEP in driving development in the Northeast, focusing on the challenges and opportunities associated with this approach. The paper begins by providing a synoptic account of the historical background and evolution of India's Look East Policy, highlighting its imperatives and key aspects. It then probes a critical examination of the development model adopted under the LEP for the Northeast region, assessing its efficaciousness in addressing the region's socio-economic disparities and infrastructure deficits. Furthermore, the paper explores the challenges hindering the successful implementation of the LEP-driven development model in the Northeast, including infrastructural bottlenecks, geopolitical complexities, environmental concerns, and socio-cultural factors. By analysing existing literature, policy documents, and empirical data, the paper offers insights into the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the LEP as a tool for promoting regional development in the Northeast. The research employs a qualitative methodology, nestling content analysis of secondary data sources such as government reports, policy papers, scholarly articles, and development indicators, complemented by case study analysis of selected projects in the Northeast. Finally, the paper concludes by offering recommendations for policymakers to enhance the efficacy of the Look East Policy in driving sustainable development in the Northeast region, emphasizing the need for holistic and inclusive approaches that prioritize local participation, environmental sustainability, and infrastructural connectivity.