India's "Look East" policy was once again in focus earlier this month as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went to Brunei and Indonesia on a four-day visit to boost India's profile in a region increasingly crucial for India's economic revival and for its strategic goals.
The prime minister took part in the 11th India-ASEAN Summit and the 8th East Asian Summit at Brunei Darussalam, then went on a bilateral visit to Indonesia.
As the prime minister has rightly observed, India's engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations now forms the cornerstone of Delhi's Look East policy, but it was his trip to Indonesia that was watched more closely.