| Publication |
2014.
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| Summary/Abstract |
As far as the China factor is concerned, India's policy toward Southeast Asia is influenced by this assumption that if China is strong in terms of economic interaction with Southeast Asia, India has a clear edge in the strategic arena. It is obvious that one of the reasons why ASEAN is keen to bring India into the regional affairs is the concern with China. It needs to be underlined that there are at present no signs of rivalry or competition for influence between India and China in Southeast Asia. It is hoped that Southeast Asia is a large enough region and the multilateral institutions are strong enough to accommodate the interests of great powers so that the region will not become a battleground for influence. Neither India nor ASEAN wants to create the impression that India's involvement in Southeast Asia is because of China.
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