India is determined to act as a counterweight to China's strong presence in Southeast Asia. This policy should find support from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam amid discontent over economic imbalances and China's territorial disputes with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his country's pivot to Southeast Asia at a celebration of 25 years of Asean-India ties in New Delhi in January. However, this is a task made tough by China's economic weight and the depth of its presence throughout Southeast Asia.
