Apropos the editorial “Manmohan travels east” (October 22), there was much scope left in India’s efforts to improve relations with the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) in the last decade, partly because of a host of other uncertain political developments. Preoccupation with the US on the nuclear deal, with China on border disputes and, of course, with Pakistan on terrorism consumed quite a lot of constructive energy.
India would do well to include South Korea in the list of markets to explore. South Koreans are aggressively pushing their agenda in the global scenario. Samsung, LG and Hyundai are among the major global players. There is also a free trade agreement to be signed between the US and South Korea. Indian suppliers are hardly present in the nation.
Indonesia and the Philippines are also lucrative markets but only the Godrej group has forayed into these countries from India. Others need to follow.
Though the look-east policy is going to be the mantra in future, far-sighted entrepreneurs would do well to focus on Africa too. A beginning was attempted by the Bharti group and Reliance earlier, in trying to take over MTN of South Africa. The attempts, however, did not fructify. But, it is going to be Africa next. And, it would be too costly for India to not notice it.
Raghu Seshadri, Chennai
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