How Did India Influence Southeast Asia?
Indian influence in Southeast Asia had long been debated, yet after colonialism India took great pains to temper its aggressive civilizational claims.
Southeast Asia bears deep marks of Indian culture, but to attribute all the development in that region solely to it would be misleading. Numerous other civilizational streams shaped it alongside local flavour and distinctions.
It is a part of the Indo-Pacific region
India sees the Indo-Pacific as an area of growth and opportunity, providing it a counterbalance against China’s increasing influence in the region. India has responded by strengthening defense ties with Indonesia and siding with the Philippines over South China Sea sovereignty issues; yet navigating its complex landscape will require nuanced strategic diplomacy.
Adherents of Hinduism and Buddhism spread throughout Southeast Asia along a network of sea and land routes from southern India, eventually merging with indigenous traditions and flavors to become the foundation for many regional traditions; one such tradition being Indonesia’s national emblem: Garuda from Hindu mythology is now its national symbol.
These connections were first formed through religious exchanges, educational encounters and cultural bonds; but were gradually severed during the twentieth century with an increase in nationalism, political repression, and anticolonial movements. Reconnecting past interactions and exploring common economic interests have all helped renew these ties. Indian governments have labeled these new engagements with East Asia “look east” policies since successive Indian governments under Prime Minister Modi took office. Prime Minister Modi elevated this term to reflect a deeper shift in India’s foreign policy priorities rather than simply responding to rising China; rather it is driven by strategic interests aligning themselves and responding to an ever-evolving security environment.
It is a part of the Asian continent
India has left an indelible mark on Southeast Asian culture, but other influences also play a part in shaping it – these include Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam spreading throughout Southeast Asia and mixing with indigenous flavors to form unique combinations that form its unique cultural identity – evidenced most visibly in Indonesia’s Garuda national emblem, which incorporates Hindu and Buddhist mythological traditions into one image.
India and Southeast Asia first connected through trade. Over the course of one millennium ce, Indian Hindu-Buddhist civilization spread throughout Southeast Asian polities and eastern islands of Malay archipelago; particularly strong influences could be found in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand – the famous temple at Angkor Wat stands as an example.
Civilizational arguments were once used as the foundation for India to claim that it has an automatic leadership position in Asia. Unfortunately, in postcolonial Asia this became a source of contention: many countries took issue with India’s cultural arrogance displayed at bilateral and multilateral forums as well as with how its policy prioritized rediscovering past Hindu glories, thus disproving any claims India might make to regional leadership. Yet civilizational arguments played an instrumental part in shaping India’s policy towards Southeast Asia.
It is a part of the world
India’s foreign policy focuses on fortifying ties with Southeast Asia. This approach includes people-to-people interactions, revisiting historical interactions and exploring mutually beneficial economic opportunities – an approach designed to balance China’s rising influence in Southeast Asia while simultaneously counteracting any possible downsides associated with it. But such policies aren’t without risk: it must also take account of potential geopolitical implications as well.
Pre-colonial India played an essential role in Asia through trade and cultural exchanges. Southern Indian traders brought an array of goods, ideas, and rituals from India into Southeast Asia while helping spread Hinduism and Buddhism throughout Southeast Asia.
Textiles were one of India’s primary exports and popular in Southeast Asia for clothing, gifts and sacred objects such as temple flags or manuscript covers. Double-ikat silk patola became particularly admired due to its complex patterns and weaving techniques which could adapt easily to local cultures; Indian artisans inspired many Southeast Asian textile traditions.
