LONDON — In a sign of the importance that India is attaching to its ties with East and Southeast Asia, India hosted Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at its Republic Day celebrations last week.

It was 60 years back that then Indonesian President Sukarno was the chief guest at the first Republic Day celebrations by India in 1950.

The most recent visit is intended to give a boost to India's "Look East" policy, underscoring the need for greater integration and deeper engagement between India and East Asia in trade and other strategic sectors.