The 'Act East' counter: Why PM Modi's visit to the East Asia, India ASEAN summits matters so much
The perception that India punches below its weight is one that PM Modi will be looking to correct when he travels to Manila on November 12 for the East Asia Summit and the 25th India ASEAN Summit.
The idea that India could play the role of a counterweight to China in its backyard has always been more fantasy than based on ground realities. It's true that many of the 10 members of ASEAN are embroiled in maritime disputes with China, most notably Vietnam and the Philippines, but this hasn't stopped any of them from rushing headlong into China's economic
